Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney and the members of the health insurance exchange advisory board deserve credit for their work in establishing an online insurance marketplace for Mississippi families.

This exchange will serve an important function in helping Mississippians obtain insurance coverage where such coverage is not available through an employer, Medicare or Medicaid.

While Commissioner Chaney and I have not always seen eye to eye on the specific terms of an exchange, we agree that a plan drafted by Mississippians and tailored to the specific health care needs of Mississippians is far better than a one-size-fits-all federal plan.

I applaud the Commissioner for foresight and leadership in moving forward with a health care exchange and believe all Mississippians, Democrat and Republican alike, should work together to help create the best plan for our state.

Brandon Jones

Executive director

Mississippi Democratic Trust