IL Gov may order start of health insurance exchange

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn may use an executive order to establish a health insurance exchange, a website where consumers could comparison shop for insurance that's a key piece of President Barack Obama's healthcare law, according to Quinn's chief healthcare adviser. Michael Gelder, the governor's adviser, said the Legislature's workload on Medicaid and pension reform makes it unlikely lawmakers will be able to pass legislation authorizing an insurance exchange during the current session, which is scheduled to end later this month. Looming federal deadlines leave the governor with two choices: calling the Legislature back into special session or issuing an executive order, Gelder said.