Criticism for bill on Minn. health exchange

Some members of a task force considering a state health insurance exchange voiced concerns last week about the governance structure proposed in bipartisan legislation.

On Wednesday, lawmakers introduced a bill that calls for a seven-member board to oversee the exchange. Board members would represent consumers, small business and health care experts.

But at a task force meeting on Friday, health care attorney Mary Foarde pointed out that the bill leaves board member selection in the hands of the governor and legislative leaders.

"All of the board members are political appointees," she said. "And it seems to me more like a government agency that's exempt from the some of the rules, but I don't see the participation of the private sector."

Under the bill, the board would make important decisions such as which plans would be allowed to sell on the Minnesota insurance exchange.

More than a million Minnesotans are expected to use the online marketplace to enroll in Medicaid and comparison shop for health policies starting in October.

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