In their continuing effort to promote state’s rights, GOP governors cede power to the Federal government

A total of 26 Republican-led or Republican-leaning states have declined to establish insurance exchanges, a critical element of the heath care reforms ushered in by the Affordable Care Act, ceding control of a key part of their health care system to the federal government.

The ACA requires the creation of the one-stop marketplaces called exchanges to connect buyers and sellers of health insurance — the vehicle through which the law would expand coverage and protect consumers. The law encourages states to build their own exchanges under the guidelines. If they refuse, the federal government will build exchanges for them.