MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A group working to spread the word about a new health insurance marketplace born of the Affordable Care Act says West Virginia has passed up millions of dollars in federal advertising money.

Perry Bryant of West Virginians for Affordable Health Care says the government would fund radio and TV spots if the state submitted a proposal, but it declined.

The health care exchange launched Tuesday.

A policy director for Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin says the state wants to see how it's working before requesting more money. Hallie Mason says it makes more sense to wait and assess where the shortfalls in communication are.

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Bryant says some groups are planning ads. But smaller ad budgets mean smaller audiences. And he says without state guidance, there is no effective over-arching theme.

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