NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A majority of Tennesseans — including nearly three-quarters of those identifying themselves as Republicans — prefer a state-run health insurance exchange over one run by the federal government, according to a polling team at Vanderbilt University.
About 53 percent of the 829 registered voters who participated in a recent poll said they favor having a state-run marketplace, and 33 percent said they prefer that the federal government handle exchange services.
Seventy-two percent of the Republicans surveyed said they support the state-based approach to the exchanges required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
About 31 percent of the Democrats and 59 percent of the independents said they prefer a state-based approach.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, a Republican, decided earlier this week not to pursue a state-run exchange.
States can’t opt out of the insurance exchange program. They can decide whether to run exchanges themselves, defer to the federal government or work with the federal government to create a “partnership” exchange.
Vanderbilt officials said the governor was not aware of the poll results before Wednesday’s release. Haslam’s office did not immediately return a message seeking comment.