Mercy CEO 'cautiously optimistic' about health exchange - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Mercy CEO 'cautiously optimistic' about health exchange

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By Kristen Johnson, Multimedia Journalist/ Weekend Anchor - bio | email
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -

Governor Terry Branstad's plan for Iowa's health insurance marketplace has received a conditional thumbs up from the federal government.

Iowa's plan is for a state and federal partnership exchange.

Under the plan, the federal government would manage the website and call center, but the state would continue to monitor health programs and regulate the insurance industry.

Branstad says this approach will cost the state less, but still allow for oversight.

The CEO of Sioux City's Mercy Medical Center says his organization is cautiously optimistic.

"Thirty-two million people who should have some new form of insurance or access to care, we being a faith-based organization. We think that's important," said Bob Peebles.

The exchange system is a requirement of the federal health care law.  It must be up and running by October 1st.

Iowa is one of 24 states that have been granted conditional approval.

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