July 30, 2010

 Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will make available up to $1 million initially for the state to begin working toward establishing health insurance exchanges that will take effect in 2014.  As part of the Affordable Care Act, the Exchanges will give individuals and small businesses in Nevada choices for health insurance and care.  The Exchanges are consumer-centered health insurance marketplaces that will make purchasing insurance easier through “one-stop shopping.”  
 
“This major provision of health care reform puts Nevadans in control of their health care,” Reid said.  “By starting the development of Exchanges now, we’re ensuring that the health care needs of Nevadans will be met when the Exchanges begin operating in 2014.  I encourage the state to take advantage of the Federal resources HHS is making available to Nevada.”
 
The state has the option of creating its own Exchange or partnering with another state or states to operate a regional Exchange; if the state opts out, HHS will create the Exchange.  HHS also called for public input in the development of Exchanges from consumer advocates, employers, insurers, and other interested stakeholders.