Health reform’s marketplaces launched in every state on January 1, offering individuals and small businesses the opportunity to shop from an array of affordable, comprehensive health insurance plans. Now that the open enrollment for 2014 coverage has closed, states have a chance to fine-tune their plans for next year. A new ...
off the charts
POLICY INSIGHT
BEYOND THE NUMBERS
BEYOND THE NUMBERS
Good News For Health Insurance Consumers in the District of Columbia
June 10, 2013
The D.C. Council has taken a big step forward in implementing health reform. The legislation that it unanimously approved last week will greatly enhance competition, transparency, and the affordability of health insurance for individuals and small businesses in the District.
The...
Exchanges Will Offer Consumers Better Choices in Every State
February 21, 2013
Every state has now decided whether, under health reform, it will build and operate a state-run “exchange” — a marketplace where individuals and small businesses can compare and purchase insurance coverage — partner on an exchange with the federal government, or have the federal government operate an exchange in the state.
Seventeen states and Washington D.C. will go for...
No More Reason to Delay Health Insurance Exchanges
November 8, 2012
For months, many state leaders who oppose health reform have delayed implementing the parts of the law that fall under state purview — most notably, planning the new “exchanges” (or marketplaces) that will allow families and small businesses to shop for affordable health plans. Now that...
Five Reasons Why States Should Act Quickly to Set Up Health Insurance Exchanges
July 5, 2012
Now that the Supreme Court has upheld the Affordable Care Act, we know that insurers will no longer be able to deny people coverage or charge them more based on their health status or gender, subsidies will be available to help people with low and moderate incomes afford coverage, and a state or federal exchange will be operating in every state in 2014.
A...
Health Insurance Exchanges Will Be Net Plus for States
May 3, 2012
Will health insurance “exchanges” — the state-based marketplaces that health reform calls for to give consumers a choice of private health insurance plans — cost states money? A growing number of state policymakers opposed to creating an exchange in their state...
While Some States Wait, Others Move Ahead on Implementing Health Reform
March 2, 2012
I noted recently that some states are putting off the decision on whether or not to create a state-run health insurance exchange — part of each state’s option under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — and so may end up with a federally run exchange as a result. But, that’s not the whole story...
Wait-and-See Approach to Health Exchanges May Haunt States
February 28, 2012
A central component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the creation in each state of a health insurance “exchange” — a competitive marketplace in which individuals and small businesses can choose among an array of affordable, comprehensive private insurance plans. In states that don’t develop an exchange, the federal government will do it for them.
As the New York...
States Moving Forward on Health Reform’s Insurance Exchanges
June 9, 2011
The continuing rhetorical battle over health reform shouldn’t obscure the fact that states are taking important steps to implement last year’s historic legislation. For example, virtually every state has made at least some progress toward setting up health insurance marketplaces or “exchanges,” which will give individuals and small businesses affordable, comprehensive coverage options. The Affordable Care Act calls for states to have exchanges up and running in January 2014.