New Mexico Health Connections is among nonprofits in eight states sharing in $638 million in federal loans for starting up consumer-oriented insurance programs.

The cooperatives are intended to by run by their customers and to offer health insurance to individuals and businesses.

Under federal health care reform currently facing court challenges, beginning in 2014 uninsured Americans will be required to have private insurance converage made available through state exchanges.

The co-ops now being formed will be among the competitors offering plans within the state exchanges.

The start-up loans also are being made to nonprofits in Montana, Iowa, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Wisconsin.

Corrales-based New Mexico Health Connections is receiving a $6 million loan to begin its statewide program.

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