The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has been the topic of
heated political debate since becoming the law of the land almost one
year ago. As right-wing calls for repeal continue to make headlines,
many positive and popular provisions of the law are already benefiting
families across the nation. Working-class and middle- class families
have seen their health security increased by provisions that rein in
insurance industry abuses and expand coverage, making it less likely
that they will lose their savings due to an illness or injury, or be
unable to afford needed treatments.
But as the curtain draws on the first year of the life of the Affordable
Care Act, what happens in the second year at the state level may prove
to be even more critical to its ultimate fate.
In 2011, the shape of the most prominent piece of the law -- and the
health security and economic security of American families for decades
to come -- will be decided in statehouses across the nation. This
legislative session, states have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to
put consumer protections and stronger access to affordable health care
coverage in the hands of their residents.
Under the health law enacted in March 2010, states are tasked with
setting up health care "exchanges," or marketplaces that will create new
incentives for the health insurance industry to deliver quality care at
lower prices. Exchanges will require insurance companies to spend more
of consumers’ premium dollars on actually providing health care --
instead of bloated administrative overhead and egregious compensation
for CEOs.
As part of our
2011 Blueprint for Economic Security, Progressive States Network has compiled an overview of how to
Enact a Progressive State Exchange this session, including a focus on key legislative elements of a strong exchange such as determining the
Governance of the health exchange and creating a
Board Structure that will ensure a strong governing body, as well as a set of
Next Steps for creating a strong exchange.
Under the timeline set out in the Affordable Care Act, state exchanges are scheduled to begin operating in 2014 --
but
every state legislature must act this session to pass a strong version
of an exchange in their state if they do not want the federal government
to run their exchange. By implementing a strong exchange, states
can allow the uninsured, self-employed and small businesses to shop for
insurance in a competitive marketplace, giving consumers greater control
and power through information and choice.
ACA Timeline
This link to healthcare.gov's
time line for the Affordable Care Act provides an interactive tool to
show and explain what provisions take effect and when. It outlines a
comprehensive analysis of the federal law. http://www.healthcare.gov/law/timeline/index.html
