Committee recommends preemptive state insurance exchange

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A legislative committee recommends Oklahoma create its own health insurance exchange to avoid having the federal government establish one for it.

Rep. Glen Mulready says the exchange is a proactive choice, and the Tulsa Republican adds he is hopeful the federal health care law will be overturned through litigation or the election of a different president.

The law mandates insurance exchanges. If Oklahoma fails to set one up, the federal government will establish one next year.

Oklahoma was to receive $54 million in federal funds to set up an exchange, but after resistance last year from Tea Party groups opposing the health care law, Gov. Mary Fallin rejected the money.

Democrats say Fallin should have taken the money, and that establishing an exchange in 10 months is a "huge undertaking."