ND House rejects new health benefit agency

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BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota House has defeated a proposal to set up a state-run health insurance exchange.

The agencies are part of a new federal health care law. They'll be used to offer subsidized health insurance to small businesses and people who don't have coverage.

North Dakota lawmakers had to choose whether to set up a state-run agency or let the federal government do it. On Thursday, House members decided against establishing a state health insurance exchange. The vote was 64 to 30 against.

Critics of the idea say they're uncertain about the cost, and how much control the state will really have over the agency's operations.

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