Federal Health Exchange Launches In Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A federal Health Insurance Marketplace that allows consumers to shop for and buy health insurance, often with the help of federal tax subsidies, is launching across the country.

More than 140 navigators have been hired in Oklahoma and were prepared to help people on Tuesday with questions about the federal marketplace. That is the first day that consumers can begin shopping, comparing and buying health insurance plans online at healthcare.gov or in person with the help of trained navigators and counselors.

In Oklahoma, where the federal Affordable Care Act has been bitterly opposed by Republican leaders, state agencies have not been involved in promoting the federal exchange.

Oklahoma has an estimated 640,000 residents, or about 17 percent of its total population, without health insurance.