Mo. Senate passes health insurance measure

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri senators have approved a measure that would require approval from lawmakers or voters before the state makes efforts to set up health insurance exchanges.

Health insurance exchanges allow consumers to shop online for health insurance. The federal health care law gives states until 2014 to establish their own exchanges or have one operated by the federal government.

Legislation approved by the Missouri Senate would bar Gov. Jay Nixon from creating an insurance exchange by executive order. The measure was approved 25-8 and now moves to the Missouri House.

If approved by the Legislature, the measure would go before voters in the November election.

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Health insurance exchanges is SB464

Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov