State taking 'wait-and-see' approach to health care exchange

(Harrisburg) -- As part of President Obama's Affordable Care Act, states are given the option to run their own health insurance exchanges -- think of them as clearing houses where people can shop for the best deal.

Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Mike Consedine says the state is taking a wait-and-see approach to creating a health insurance exchange.

He says his agency doesn't have enough good information to have the online health exchange up and running by the beginning of 2014.

Consedine says the Corbett administration simply is acting in Pennsylvania's best interest.

"I don't play politics when it comes to people's lives and that's essentially what we're talking about here with regard to health insurance. If we set up an exchange that's not ready to go, that's poorly operated, that has consequences for people -- that's just not a risk we're willing to take at this point," Consedine says.

Holding off means the Pennsylvania exchange will be run by the federal government.

Laval Miller-Wilson, the director of the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, is disappointed it won't be state-run.

He says one run by Washington won't be in tune with Pennsylvania consumers.

In New Jersey, Governor Christie is putting off a decision until after the election, since a President Romney would repeal the health law.