Governor says time's run out to create state-run health care exchange

Michigan is out of time to create its own health care exchange, according to Gov. Rick Snyder's office.

The federal health care law requires that states set up a website to assist residents when purchasing health insurance. The online exchange would be designed to help individuals and small businesses comparison shop for insurance policies.

November 16 is the deadline for state governments to show how they intend to operate these exchanges in 2014.

Snyder has been pushing the state legislature to establish its own health care exchange since last year, saying the exchange is a good idea.

Republicans in the Michigan House of Representatives, under the leadership of Jase Bolger, have stalled any action on a state-run exchange.

They first wanted to wait until the Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of the law. Now that the Supreme Court upheld it, they appear to be pinning their hopes on a repeal of the health care law after the November election.

Snyder spokeswoman Sara Wurfel said in an email today that Michigan "must prepare" for a U.S.-controlled health insurance exchange.

More from the Detroit News:

After the House took no action on the health care exchange legislation last week during its lone August work day, the Snyder administration determined there isn't enough time to start the program before the federal government's Nov. 16 deadline, Wurfel said.

"Given what we know about timelines and deadlines and the parameters, there is just no way we can do the state-run exchange," Wurfel said.

The Associated Press reports that an online exchange is expected to help 500,000 residents buy insurance.