JUNEAU -- A consultant's report is expected next month that could help guide a decision by the governor on how Alaska moves forward on a health care exchange program.

An exchange is a marketplace for coverage options. Under the federal health care law, the government could step in and establish exchanges in states where none exist.

However, in June, the U.S. Supreme Court also is expected to announce the fate of the health care law. The court could toss it, select portions of it if violations of the U.S. Constitution are found, or uphold the law.

Alaska is among the states that challenged the law in court, arguing that a government mandate that people have health insurance is unconstitutional.