Industry and consumer groups welcomed the regulations, saying they provided states with the flexibility necessary to meet consumer needs for choice and quality protections. They also said the regulations shift policy focus to the state level, where the new rules must be implemented.
State exchanges are part of a two-pronged effort to provide health coverage for about 30 million uninsured Americans under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which also calls for a dramatic expansion of the joint federal-state Medicaid program for the poor.
The exchanges amount to federally subsidized state-run insurance markets designed to operate like Amazon.com by providing consumers Web-based access to affordable health plans that meet minimum quality standards.
READ MORE:
via New healthcare exchange rules issued for states | Reuters.