8 things to know about PPACA state exchanges

The June 29, 2012 front pages of newspapers on display at the Newseum in Washington, after the previous day's Supreme Court ruling to uphold the PPACA. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act refers to state health insurance exchanges as “American Health Benefit Exchanges.” In theory, insurance companies will compete for business on a transparent, level playing field, which should reduce costs and give individuals and small businesses the purchasing power enjoyed by big businesses. However, health reform does many things to increase costs by covering those who are now uninsurable and by increasing mandated benefits. Many predict these factors will far outweigh any efficiencies created by the exchanges and that health insurance prices will increase. If exchanges succeed, they will create the first viable alternative to the group markets for the younger-than-65 population.