Interactive Map Tracks Progress of State Insurance Exchanges
The Commonwealth Fund has unveiled an interactive map that will track the progress of state-based insurance exchanges throughout the country.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires states to set up the health insurance exchanges by 2014. The exchanges will function as markets through which people who do not have employer-sponsored health coverage can purchase insurance.
People earning between 133 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) are eligible for federal subsidies to help them buy insurance through the exchanges. (Beginning in January 2014, states will have the option of expanding Medicaid coverage to those earning less than 133 percent of the FPL.)
According to PHI research (pdf), up to 80 percent of direct-care workers earn less than 400 percent of the FPL.
The Commonwealth Fund’s map shows that, so far, 16 states and Washington, DC, have already established exchanges or have taken concrete steps toward setting them up.
Meanwhile, eight states — including Texas, Florida, Wisconsin, and New Jersey — have said they will refuse to comply with the ACA and will not set up exchanges. The federal government will be tasked with running the exchanges in noncomplying states.
– by Matthew Ozga
