The progress states have made on designing and establishing affordable healthcare exchanges varies significantly, The Associated Press reports, although they all face the same deadline.
If any state has not filed an exchange plan with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by the beginning of 2013, provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) indicate the federal government will step in.
According to the news source, 13 states and Washington, D.C., have already adopted an implementation plan. In 17 states, substantial progress has been made but there is not yet a finalized plan. The remaining 20 have reportedly made little or no progress, and in some cases state officials and lawmakers are not attempting to do so.
Some of these individuals may be opposed to the PPACA, or wish to see what ruling the Supreme Court will make concerning the law before investing their time and energy. If the law is upheld, AP notes, they may find themselves forced to accept a federally-designed exchange because of limited time.
In addition to uninsured individuals, some businesses may benefit from the exchanges, which are meant to make health insurance employee benefits more affordable for employers as well as consumers.
