Gov moving toward health care exchange

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - Gov. Rick Snyder has gained the endorsement of a key legislative leader in his push to create a state-run marketplace where Michigan residents without health insurance can shop for private coverage.

Under President Barack Obama's health care plan, each state must decide whether to operate its own insurance exchange, let the federal government do it, or form a partnership in which state and federal agencies would play different roles.

Snyder favors a state-based program, which the state Senate has endorsed. But the House has refused to vote on the matter because its Republican majority opposes the Obama approach.

On Friday, House Speaker Jase Bolger said a state exchange is preferable to the other two alternatives. The House will consider the matter when it reconvenes this month.