Ariz. balks at state-based health insurance exchange

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has refused to set up a state-based health insurance exchange under the U.S. Affordable Care Act and has instead opted for a federally run exchange, according to a Reuters news story.

She said her decision was based on lingering unanswered questions about the exchanges and concerns about high costs being transferred to Arizona families and small businesses, according to the story.

While 17 states plan to move ahead on their own exchanges, at least nine Republican governors, including Brewer, have rejected the plan and opted for a hybrid federal-state network.

"My opposition to the Affordable Care Act is unwavering, as is my belief that it should be repealed and replaced," Brewer said in a statement announcing her decision.