Pawlenty proposes interstate insurance compact

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is proposing that states join together to help consumers buy health insurance across state lines.

Pawlenty asked the nation's other governors on Wednesday to explore forming an interstate health insurance compact with Minnesota.

The Republican governor is seen as a potential 2012 presidential candidate.

His letter to the governors says the compact would be modeled on the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact, which streamlines standards for life insurance, annuities, disability income insurance and long-term care insurance. That compact covers 36 states.

Pawlenty says his plan for health insurance would bring consistency to state standards and give consumers better choices. He says he will ask Congress to approve the plan.