Twenty-eight States are on their way toward establishing a key component of
health care reform—Affordable Insurance Exchanges—according to a report issued
today by the White House.
“States are taking strong steps to implement health reform,” said White House
Deputy Chief of Staff Nancy-Ann DeParle. “The Obama Administration is working in
partnership with State leaders across the country. We will ensure Americans in
every State have access to an Exchange and the same kinds of insurance choices
as Members of Congress.”
Affordable Insurance Exchanges are State-based, one-stop marketplaces where
consumers can choose a private qualified health insurance plan that fits their
health needs. Beginning in 2014, Exchanges will offer consumers the same kinds
of insurance choices that members of Congress will have.
The report released today highlights how some States are moving forward to
build Affordable Insurance Exchanges. The States profiled are not necessarily
the States most advanced in establishing an Exchange; instead, they illustrate
the diversity of approaches and progress being made. Some of the actions in the
report include:
• Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R), a physician, issued an Executive Order
that created the Alabama Health Insurance Exchange Study Commission on June 2,
2011, which recommended that Alabama establish its own Exchange called the
“Alabama Health Insurance Marketplace.” The legislature, which meets in
February, is expected to take up legislation to establish an
Exchange.
• Colorado passed a bipartisan bill to establish the independent
Colorado Health Insurance Exchange, which was signed into law on June 1, 2011.
The Colorado Exchange has started public education about health reform and the
Exchange at its website, www.getcoveredco.org. Organizations such
as the Colorado branch of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
and the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry have been active
participants in the creating the small business component of the
Exchange.
• In Nevada, unanimous, bipartisan legislation authorized the
Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, which was signed into law by Governor
Brian Sandoval (R) on June 16, 2011. Its board has been appointed, executive
director named, and application submitted for its next round of funding for
building the Exchange.
The report outlines some of the steps the Administration has taken to ensure
all Americans have access to an exchange beginning in 2014. These include
developing the information technology and business systems necessary to
facilitate Exchanges in multiple states.
Developing Exchanges is just one of the ways States are implementing health
reform. In the nearly two years since President Obama signed the Affordable Care
Act into law, States have enforced the patient protections like banning lifetime
dollar limits on coverage and ensuring coverage of proven prevention services.
Forty-three States and the District of Columbia are participating in the new
premium rate review system where insurers must justify the rationale for any
double-digit insurance premium increase. All States have received Affordable
Care Act grants to improve prevention and public health. And the Affordable Care
Act has already made an incredible difference to millions of Americans:
• 2.5 million more young adults have health insurance.
• As of October
2011, more than 2.65 million seniors got a 50 percent discount on their
prescription drugs when they hit the donut hole.
• Insurance companies can no
longer drop your coverage when you get sick or put a lifetime cap on the amount
of care you can receive.
To read the report issued today, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/01-18-12_exchange_report.pdf
For
more information on the Affordable Care Act, visit www.healthcare.gov.
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