Among them, 34 states have already started building their own.
According to an announcement from U.S. government officials, there are now health insurance exchanges underway for planning in 49 states across the country.
A number of them have just received grants in order to support them in their efforts.
Thirty four of the states are already developing the development of their own health insurance marketplaces. These are the ones that have been receiving the grants from the federal government. Most recently, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, these grants have gone out to New York, Iowa, Vermont, Nevada, California, Maryland, Hawaii and Connecticut.
These grants were issued in order to support the efforts for affordable health insurance exchange development.
Beginning in January 2014, these health insurance marketplaces will allow individuals, families, and small businesses to shop in one place in order to obtain affordable and high quality medical plans. This is a central element of the health care reform by the Obama administration.
According to Sebelius, these exchanges will give health insurance shoppers a place where they can effectively compare the coverage and costs associated with the various private plans that are available, so that they will be certain to find the policy that will best suit their needs, at the most favorable price. It will give them the same options that are available to members of Congress, she said.
Sebelius released a statement which said that “We continue to support states as they move forward building an exchange that works for them.” In it, she then added that “Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Americans will have more health insurance choices and the ability to compare insurance plans.”
Each of the states across the country will provide their residents with the ability to shop for, compare, and enroll in private health insurance plans that will meet their medical cost requirements, explained Sebelius.
This will also let consumers know whether or not they are eligible for additional programs such as cost-sharing reductions or tax credits, as well as other forms of healthcare programs, such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program.