BOISE -- Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter should quickly enact a nonprofit, state-based insurance exchange under President Obama's health care overhaul.
Friday's recommendation came from a panel created by Otter earlier this year to advise him on Idaho's options after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the disputed law.
Kevin Settles, a Boise restaurant owner on the working group, said a state-based exchange is the best way for Idaho to maintain control its insurance market.
Otter can't dally long if he accepts the recommendation, since there's a looming Nov. 16 deadline for states to notify the federal government.
A spokesman said Otter could act via executive order, but declined to detail the Republican governor's plans.
A libertarian-leaning panelist, Wayne Hoffman, opposed the recommendation, arguing Idaho should do nothing, to stand up to federal tyranny.
