RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Gov. Bob McDonnell says Virginia will default to a federal health insurance exchange to meet its obligations under the federal health care overhaul.

Continue reading

McDonnell had been holding out in hopes that President Barack Obama would be defeated and the reforms would be repealed. With Obama's re-election, McDonnell acknowledges that's unlikely.

But he's unwilling to expand the state's Medicaid program or establish a state-based benefits program. States face a Nov. 16 deadline to decide what kind of exchange to establish.

The exchanges help people shop for private health insurance policies.

The Times-Dispatch reports some groups are renewing calls for Virginia legislators to plan to implement the overhaul post-election. Virginia could change course at a later date.