"They've granted us everything that we asked for, and for that I'm grateful," Herbert said in a call with the media on May 10, praising Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for her flexibility in the negotiation process. Other states can consider a similar set-up once the HHS officially approves the rule change for Utah.
What sets the system in Utah apart is that the two exchanges will operate independently of one another. This arrangement means, for example, that the state will not provide information about participating residents and businesses for inclusion in federal databases. It is unclear at this point how Utah consumers will be able to compare plans available under each exchange when deciding on coverage.
Until now, states have selected from one of three options in implementing the exchanges, which are being set up in accordance with the Affordable Care Act, which takes effect in January 2014. Seven states have chosen federal/state partnerships, in which the two levels of government work together. State-run health insurance exchanges are being established by 17 states, while 26 states will default to an entirely federally run program for their residents.
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