
Democratic leaders in the Virginia Senate are once again calling for a special session to discuss how the state will handle the federal health care overhaul.
Earlier this month, Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell announced that Virginia will default to a federal health insurance exchange to meet its obligations under the federal health care overhaul.
Senate Democrats say that would be a mistake, and they're urging the governor to reconsider, according to the Associated Press.
States face a Dec. 14 deadline to decide whether to set up their own exchange for people to shop for private health insurance policies or use the exchange offered by the federal government.
Senate Minority Leader Dick Saslaw and Richmond Sen. Donald McEachin say the governor should call lawmakers back into session to create a state-based health insurance program.
But McDonnell says a special session is not necessary, and would be a waste of taxpayer dollars.
Although the governor says Virginia will default to the federal exchange option, supporters of the Affordable Health Care Act point out that the state could change course at a later date.

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