Virginia's health exchange stuck in waiting room

Everybody's talking about a health benefits exchange in Virginia -- except the governor, that is.

Recent articles and editorials in the Newport News Daily Press, the Richmond Times-Dispatch and the Virginian-Pilot all push for adopting an HBE, which is required under the Affordable Care Act. Legislators -- both Democrat and Republican alike -- have introduced proposals for establishing the exchange. But Gov. Bob McDonnell has opted to wait until the Supreme Court rules on the health care reform act's individual mandate.

What's a 'health benefits exchange,' or HBE?
Basically, it's a state-run "marketplace" where the uninsured can shop for affordable, legitimate health plans. Similar to a cooperative, the exchange gives strength in numbers to people whose employers don't offer coverage.

The Affordable Care Act requires each state to establish an HBE by 2014. If not, the feds will step in to create the exchange.

What's the 'individual mandate'?
The individual mandate, which is part of the Affordable Care Act, requires any American who doesn't have health insurance by 2014 to pay a penalty. Roughly half of U.S. states, along with the National Federation of Business, joined a lawsuit claiming the mandate is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court will hear their case in late March.