Legislators seek action on Georgia insurance exchange

Sen. Nan Orrock, D-Atlanta, and Rep. Pat Gardner, D-Atlanta, urged the General Assembly on Thursday to take action on legislation (House Bill 801 and Senate Bill 418) that would establish a new health insurance marketplace in Georgia.

The legislators said Georgia needs to move forward with setting up a marketplace to help small business owners and individuals buy health coverage. State-based insurance exchanges are a key part of the national health care law.

Gov. Nathan Deal has said he doesn't want Georgia to move forward with planning for a state-based exchange until the Supreme Court decides whether the health law is constitutional. But Orrock and Gardner said Georgians need the marketplace now and that the state could end up with a federally run exchange if the state does not act.