Cuomo watch: Creating a health exchange

For more than a year, Republicans who control the State Senate have blocked New York from establishing a "health exchange" -- a federally mandated marketplace for buying health insurance. Apparently, they wanted to avoid taking any action, even if small, on the Affordable Care Act, which they refer to as "Obamacare."

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo hasn't forced their hand. Instead, the Democrat has allowed two budgets and one full legislative session to go by, while noting he's had a good working relationship with Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre). This week, Cuomo says, he will introduce an "executive order" establishing New York's exchange. So Republicans won't have to touch the issue, and Cuomo gets to set up the program without having to compromise.

-- Yancey Roy