FL misses health exchange deadline

Florida did not notify the federal government on Friday whether it will set up a statewide benefits exchange, which means it's extremely likely the state will take part in a nationwide system.

If states intend to run an exchange, they had to submit a letter to Washington by Friday. Florida did not send such a letter, Katie Betta, a spokesperson for Senate President Don Gaetz, wrote in an an email to Jackson Business Journal.

State officials and Governor Rick Scott have said they lack too much information from the federal government to create a local system, the newspaper reports.

"At this time we do not have sufficient information on the cost of implementing a state healthcare exchange to Florida taxpayers, Florida businesses or Florida health insurance purchasers," said Jackie Schutz, a spokesperson for the governor's office. "We are looking forward to getting more information from Health and Human Services and the president."

Scott's administration is trying to meet with Kathleen Sebelius, HHS secretary, Schutz told the newspaper.

Several Florida lawmakers were among the government officers who challenged the Affordable Care Act in the Supreme Court.

As of today, 25 states have chosen a federal exchange, 17 states and D.C. intend to create a statewide system and 7 are choosing a hybrid state-federal exchange, according to KFMB-TV.