Excerpted from a Feb. 5 Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader editorial.

Time's a-wastin', and the state should be moving ahead with the planning for a Missouri health insurance exchange.

These state exchanges are an integral part of the national health care law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In this exchange the nearly 800,000 uninsured Missourians will be able to shop among private companies, make their pick and get coverage.... Tax credits will be available to assist those who can't meet the cost of the private premiums. Separate exchanges must be established to serve our small businesses.

... Missouri has failed, so far, to establish the exchange or to be on the way to doing so.

And there's plenty of work to be done. A recent article by Gannett Washington reporter Deidre Shesgreen points out the need for upgraded computer systems (because) health plans must be certified and individual consumers must know if they qualify for subsidies. In addition, we would add that Missourians simply need to be educated. Shopping is easy, but being an informed shopper takes effort. All of this will take time.

... All states face a Jan. 1, 2013 federal deadline for getting an OK for their plans. Then the exchange portion of the health care law is implemented in 2014. If we fail to meet the deadline, the federal government will establish an exchange.

We do not believe this is in the best interest of Missourians.

Our lawmakers and agencies should be deciding what will work, what will benefit our citizens and then blending this exchange with the other insurance and health ingredients to cook up a distinctly Missouri cake.

If Missouri waits for a Supreme Court decision this summer or the November election to change the outlook on the health care law, we may fall too far behind. Better that the governor and lawmakers move forward enough to ensure Missourians control the state's exchange if it becomes a reality.

... We already have a $20.8 million federal grant for the exchange. It's not a question of money. It's a question of political will. The Missouri House passed legislation moving the state-based exchange forward. The Missouri Senate should do the same. And Gov. Jay Nixon should be stepping out front to lead on this important issue.

After all, there's work to be done.

Copyright The Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader