UT Gov asks Obama to approve state's own healthcare exchange

Utah's Gov. Gary Herbert is asking President Barack Obama to approve a health insurance exchange the state already has in place and declare that it meets the requirements of the federal health overhaul. It's not clear he will get his wish. Herbert sent the letter Tuesday ahead of Friday's deadline for states to decide if they'll do their own exchange. Utah's exchange was launched on a limited basis in 2009 and fully implemented two years later. In his letter, the governor asks Obama to proclaim Utah's plan a model for other states, saying the state's program gives 7,600 people at 318 small businesses a choice of 140 health insurance plans. The state is planning on expanding its exchange.