Nashville Congressman Jim Cooper says state legislators shouldn’t wait long before taking a role in the federal healthcare overhaul. Some lawmakers have talked about putting such a move off until after the Supreme Court decides if the law can legally make people buy health insurance.

At issue is whether the state sets up its own health insurance exchange. That’s a hub where people could shop for coverage. If Tennessee doesn’t set up its own, and the Supreme Court upholds the law, the state would be pulled into a federal exchange. And it would punt away controls over eligibility, fees, tax credits – even some exemptions.

Elected officials don’t want that, but many also don’t want to be seen signing off on what some call ‘Obamacare’ in an election year. A few have suggested simply putting any action off until later. But Cooper – a Democrat who’s not part of the state process – isn’t convinced that’s the right idea.

“There are two kinds of delay. One is a legitimate delay so you can study something or make sure it’s worked out properly. The other kind of delay is just called foot-dragging.”

Cooper expects the law will hold up in court. And he thinks Tennessee would be better off with its own exchange, instead of one from Washington. So far no state lawmakers seem to be arguing that point, but it’s still an open question how – or whether – they address it this spring.