Vt. gov. defends health care exchange

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin is defending his administration's push to set up a new health insurance marketplace — or exchange.

Shumlin says the aim is to comply with the federal health reform law passed two years ago and lay the groundwork for the single-payer health care system he wants to set up by late in this decade.

Republicans in the Legislature have been criticizing the administration's health reform plan, saying it will limit choice for companies and their employees when it comes to buying health insurance.

Shumlin says his ultimate goal is to decouple health insurance from employment.