AFP-North Carolina Calls on Governor Perdue Not to Establish Exchange

Raleigh, NC—The North Carolina chapter of the free market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity (AFP-NC) today called on lame duck Governor Bev Purdue not to set up a so-called health insurance exchange under the President’s health care law.  Reports indicate that the Governor is poised to make a deal with the federal Department of Health and Human Services despite overwhelming objections from the North Carolina state legislature and the Governor’s lame duck status.

“Governor Purdue should not be making large scale policy changes that she knows the legislature does not support while she is on her way out the door,” said AFP-NC State Director Dallas Woodhouse.  “AFP is committed to working with the new legislature and the new governor to undo any exchange that Governor Purdue unwisely  tries to set up.”

Under the President’s new health care law, states have the option of whether they want to set up a state-based health insurance exchange or leave the high costs and administrative burden to the federal government.  For months, opponents of the exchanges have pointed out that despite claims to the contrary there is no real state flexibility and that the “free” federal money to set up and run the exchanges will run out in two years, leaving state budgets to bear the brunt of the federal government’s policies.

“North Carolina should join the growing movement across the country rejecting these exchanges,” said AFP National Director of Policy James Valvo.  “Nearly a dozen states have already refused to implement these exchanges and North Carolina should do so as well.”