New Health Care Marketplace Rules Are a "Significant and Timely Milestone" for Implementing the Affordable Care Act

Today, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the release of federal regulations to guide states in creating new health care marketplaces called “exchanges.” The following is the statement of Ron Pollack, Executive Director of the consumer health organization Families USA, about this development:

“Today’s regulations are a significant and timely milestone on the way to securing high-quality, affordable health coverage for America’s families. They will also provide significant help to small business owners seeking to provide good and affordable health coverage for their workers.

“The regulations provide a helpful framework for states so they can create new health coverage marketplaces—marketplaces that will provide America’s consumers and small businesses with more choices for securing better and less costly health coverage for their families and employees.

“These new health coverage marketplaces in states across the country will place America’s consumers in the driver’s seat: along with more choices, many families will receive robust premium subsidies so that health coverage is more affordable.

“We commend the Obama Administration and leaders in the Department of Health and Human Services for responding to the states’ requests for guidance on their exchange options and keeping implementation of much-needed health care reform on track in a timely manner.”

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 1100 · Washington, DC 20005
202-628-3030 · Email: info@familiesusa.org · www.familiesusa.org