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Conservative Group Criticizes NM's GOP Governor

A conservative political group is criticizing Governor Susana Martinez for deciding to establish a state-run health insurance exchange.

The Martinez administration has been working since last year on the exchange, which will be an online marketplace for the uninsured and small businesses to shop for health plans.

Americans for Prosperity state director Joseph Montes said Thursday that New Mexico was increasing its reliance on the federal government by "participating in federal mandates, whether funded or not."

The small-government, anti-tax political group was founded by billionaire businessmen Charles and David Koch.

Some governors are leaving it to the federal government to operate insurance exchanges.

Martinez spokesman Scott Darnell said a state-run exchange is better for New Mexico than having the federal government impose "a one-size-fits-all exchange from Washington, D.C."