Utah decides to stick with its own health exchange

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Utah Gov. Gary Herbert says his state will stick with its own existing health insurance exchange rather than let the federal government run it for them.
   
Herbert announced the decision Friday afternoon by making public a letter he sent to the secretary of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services.
   
In the letter, he says Utah will move forward with its exchange. He repeated a request he made earlier this week asking the federal government declare that it meets the requirements of the federal health overhaul.
   
Friday was decision day for states to notify the federal government if they will set up their own insurance exchanges under the federal health care law.
   
Exchanges are online health insurance marketplaces pioneered in Utah and Massachusetts.

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