Ky. gov appoints Banahan to lead health program

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky has taken another step toward a statewide health insurance exchange with the appointment of an executive director to head the initiative that resulted from federal health care reforms.

Gov. Steve Beshear appointed Carrie Banahan to the position this week. Banaham had been executive director of the Kentucky Office of Health Policy.

Beshear issued an executive order in July creating the statewide health insurance exchange, which will allow people to comparison shop online for insurance by Jan. 1, 2014.

The federal government will create exchanges starting in 2014 for states that don't develop their own.

Beshear had said previously Banahan would lead the Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange. He sent paperwork to the secretary of state's office Wednesday officially making the appointment.