Labrador, others urge govs to nix exchanges

BOISE (AP) — Darlings of the tea party movement in Congress including Idaho U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador urged governors to reject the health care reform's insurance exchanges, despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week upholding the law.

The Republican lawyer says the Supreme Court ruling puts the responsibility on Congress to repeal the overhaul.

Labrador was joined by Republican lawmakers in Washington, D.C., including Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Rep. Michele Bachman of Minnesota in making his anti-insurance exchange pitch.

In branding exchanges as expensive, intrusive and punitive, Labrador's stance puts him at odds with Idaho insurers including Blue Cross and Regence Blue Shield. They're urging Gov. C.L. "Butch Otter of Idaho to act quickly to implement a state exchange.

Otter so far hasn't said what he plans to do.