Health insurance exchanges are being planned in 49 states, while 34 states have begun building the exchanges, U.S. health officials said Thursday.
Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Nevada, New York and Vermont have received new grants to help support the establishment of Affordable Insurance Exchanges.
Starting in 2014, consumers and small businesses will have access to high-quality, affordable health insurance through an exchange — a one-stop marketplace where consumers can choose a private health insurance plan that fits their health needs and have the same kinds of insurance choices as members of Congress, Sebelius said.