Gov. Otter Defends Temporary FED Help For Insurance Exchange

(AP) — Idaho Gov.  "Butch" Otter is defending a move by the new Idaho Health Insurance Exchange board of directors to temporarily rely on federal computers to help people sign up for insurance coverage, contending it will help the state be ready to enroll people by October.  Otter issued his statement Thursday after news circulated that Idaho was among states that will use federal computers to enroll exchange participants, to help determine their eligibility for Medicaid or federal subsidies. Otter says the decision to use federal computers is a "sensible, responsible first step" to make sure Idaho develops its own exchange, rather than default to a federal Internet marketplace for individuals and small businesses to buy insurance.  The Republican governor says missing October's deadline would mean Idaho would get a federal exchange.