Health care legislation may be on the agenda for state lawmakers

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and his fellow Republicans could find themselves knee-deep in health care issues Wednesday when lawmakers briefly return after a five-week break.

Snyder needs to get reluctant House Republicans on board with his efforts to create an online site where individuals and small businesses can comparison shop for private health insurance.

Snyder spokeswoman Sara Wurfel says the governor would like the House on Thursday to follow the lead of the GOP-controlled Senate and approve setting up the exchange. Lawmakers aren't scheduled to be in session again until mid-August.

State officials are scrambling to get a state-run exchange in place by 2014. They're running out of time to show they've done enough initial planning and may have to partner with the federal government on an exchange.