Paul ‘not sure’ what to do with Kentucky’s ObamaCare exchange

by Peter Sullivan - 05/30/14 6:28 PM ET

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Friday that he’s committed to the full repeal of Obamacare, but is “not sure” what will happen with the state exchange set up by the law.

“You know I’m not sure,” Paul told reporters in Kentucky when asked if he would also dismantle Kynect, the state insurance marketplace, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.

{mosads}The senator said there were unresolved issues with “how we unravel or how we change things.”

Paul’s comments come after a week where his colleague, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), faced criticism for suggesting that the Kynect could survive even if Obamacare is repealed.

McConnell faces a tough election challenge from Democratic opponent Alison Lundergan Grimes, who pounced on his remark.

The healthcare law created the state exchanges, including Kynect, and provides them with subsidies, which would be lost under repeal.

McConnell’s campaign, though, said that if the health law were repealed, Kentucky voters could decide whether to keep the exchange or set up a new insurance marketplace.

Paul, who is seen as a possible 2016 GOP presidential contender, on Friday insisted that he “would repeal all of ObamaCare.”

But the debate over Kynect’s connection to the law, highlights the difficulties Republicans pressing for full repeal could face dealing with state exchanges that may be popular.

More than 413,000 people in Kentucky have signed up for health insurance through Kynect, making it one of the most successful exchanges in the country.

Tags Alison Lundergan Grimes Kentucky Kentucky Mitch McConnell ObamaCare Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Rand Paul