States are beginning to prepare for their 2011 legislative sessions. For many, this includes discussion of legislation that would authorize an exchange. Most experts are recommending that states set up the governance structure for their exchange early next year. This legislation would not need to be prescriptive as to the operations of the exchange, but it should establish a decision-making body and specify basic expectations.
States are also encouraged to pass legislation in 2011 that enables them to enforce the insurance reform provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In order to aid states in this task, the Health Insurance and Managed Care Committee has also drafted model legislation in the following areas:
