Matt Bevin, Kentucky’s new governor, is moving ahead with efforts to shut down kynect, the state’s state-based exchange.
Bevin, a Republican, wrote to Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to tell her of the state’s decision to “wind down and case operation” of kynect “as soon as is practicable,” according to a copy of the letter posted by The Spoked Blog.
“We look forward to coordinating a transition plan with you to fulfill this objective,” Bevin writes. Vickie Yates Brown Glisson, Bevin’s Health and Family Services cabinet secretary, will oversee the transition, Bevin says.
The Kentucky exchange has had a reputation for operating smoothly and achieving a high rate of enrollment.
See also: 10 PPACA exchanges with upmarket appeal
Bevin has argued that it is too expensive, given that it covers only a small percentage of state residents, and that shifting to use of the HHS HealthCare.gov system would be more affordable.
Representatives from Bevin’s administration were not immediately available to comment on the letter to Burwell.