This week the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations cleared the way for the NC Department of Insurance (NCDOI) to spend $12.4 million in federal grant money for the establishment of a state-controlled health insurance exchange. If the state does not establish an exchange under the guidelines of the Affordable Care Act, the federal government must step in and run the exchange for the state.

These federal grant dollars will be used to begin the process of contracting for technology services and hiring staff to create and manage the operations of the exchange.

See related stories:

NCMS Convenes Meeting with Benefits Exchange Stakeholders (Bulletin, 10-7-11)

Proposed Rules Released and Funds Awarded to Help States Build Affordable Health Benefit Exchanges (Bulletin, 8-19-11)

Focus on Health System Reform: Health Benefit Exchanges, Part 1 (Bulletin, 7-23-10)

Focus on Health System Reform: Health Benefit Exchanges, Part 2 (Bulletin, 7-30-10)