By ECM on January 21, 2013 at 12:31 pm

by T.W. Budig ECM Capitol reporter

Insurance health care exchange legislation cleared its first legislative committee with Democratic leaders wanting the complex bill signed by the governor and out the door by the end of March.

A Senate committee on a party-line vote Thursday (Jan. 17) advanced Sen. Tony Loureys exchange bill, touching off a flurry of committee hearings in the Senate on the states alternative to a federal insurance exchange.

Senators Bruce Anderson, R-Buffalo Township, Alice Johnson, DFL-Spring Lake Park, and Bev Scalze, DFL-Little Canada, listen to insurance exchange testimony in committee. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

The House is expected to hold its first exchange committee hearing this week.

Minnesota is one of 18 states that has conditional approval from the federal government to launch its own insurance exchange.

Speed is part of the bargain.

Because insurance companies must be allowed six months to prepare products to sell in the exchange, a one-stop marketplace where consumers can browse for the best buy, the state exchange must be state law by the end of March.

Enrollment is scheduled to begin Oct. 1, with plan coverage starting the first of the year.

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Insurance health care exchange legislation clears for legislative committee