Health decision looms for Pence

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - One of incoming Gov. Mike Pence's toughest decisions will also be his earliest as he decides whether Indiana should implement a health insurance exchange.

President Barack Obama's re-election means efforts to repeal the federal health care law are all but dead. And Indiana must inform the Department of Health and Human Services by next Friday whether it will implement a state-run exchange, place residents in a federal exchange or approve a hybrid system.

Pence said Wednesday he opposed a state-run exchange but has not said whether residents will have to buy into the federal plan.

Indiana health care experts say there is some room for movement from the new administration as it gets settled in. Indiana Chamber of Commerce executive Mike Ripley also expects the Legislature to weigh in.