May 21, 2013
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Alabama's governor isn't changing his mind about not operating a health insurance exchange even though President Barack Obama's administration has given states an extra month to decide.
Friday was supposed to the deadline for states to decide if they would run an exchange under the Affordable Care Act or let the federal government do it. The Obama administration announced Thursday night it was extending the deadline to Dec. 14. The extension came at the request of some Republican governors.
Gov. Robert Bentley's spokesman, Jeremy King, said Friday the Republican governor is standing by his announcement Tuesday that Alabama will not run an exchange. Bentley said it could cost the state as much as $50 million annually.
