Come 2014, shopping for health insurance will be at the click of your finger.
Senator Bo Watson says, "Probably many of your listeners buy plane tickets on Orbitz or Expedia. Exchange works the same way. It's plane tickets for health care."
For Tennesseeans, that online exchange will be set up and run by the federal government.
Governor Bill Haslam announced Monday at a Rotary Club in Nashville, the state wont build their own exchange.
Senator Bo Watson says he agrees with the Governors reasoning that they haven't been given enough information.
"There are just not enough answers to some very important questions that this administration has about how the exchange would operate and what responsibilities the state would have and what responsibilities the Federal Government would have and not knowing those answers may limit the states flexibility to make the plan or make the exchange work effectively for Tennessee."
"So instead of spending the estimated $70 million to build it, the exchange will be left under federal control in Tennessee.
"I think the Federal government wants a certain format to their exchange. They want certain things in that exchange and I think the Governor looked at it and said, even if we build it, if they're gonna come back in a year or two and just tear it up and make it the way they want, why would we do that. Let's just let them build it."
This exchange will have a huge influence on local health insurance companies.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee sent us this statement in response:
"We certainly understand and respect the Governor's decision on the exchange. With this clear direction, BlueCross will continue taking the steps necessary to have new individual products ready for Tennesseans when open enrollment for the exchange begins."
The exchanges for all states will have to be ready for operation by the beginning of 2014.
