Exchange planning takes hold in states -- each with different flavor

Vermont, the District of Columbia and Connecticut are among those planning health law-mandated marketplaces where consumers and small businesses can buy insurance -- each with its own twist.

Kaiser Health News: Capsules: Vermont Goes For Gold (Silver, Bronze And Platinum, Too)
Vermont is the only state in the nation on a path to a single payer health system. That could take a while, though. And in the meantime, the state has to set up an insurance exchange to comply with the Affordable Care Act (Kinzel, 8/27).

Politico Pro: D.C. Exchange Setting Unique Path
As states look to Washington for direction on their health insurance exchanges, this much is clear: the exchange taking root in Washington itself is setting a pretty unique path. Outside of Vermont, which is pursuing a single-payer system, D.C.'s exchange is shaping up to be one of the most progressive ones in the country. And that's spooking some businesses and insurers, which say the exchange would choke off competition in favor of propping up an unproven marketplace. Recommendations touted by D.C. exchange advisers and city officials would send all of the District's small businesses into the exchange, expand the definition of small businesses, and merge risk pools for the small group and individual markets. D.C. insurance officials insist that putting all of the small businesses in the exchange is the only way to ensure it can survive (Millman, 8/28).

The Associated Press: Conn. Moving Ahead With New Health Care Exchange
Connecticut officials are pushing ahead with plans to set up a new health insurance exchange by next fall. The federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services this week awarded the state a $107 million grant (8/27).

Meanwhile, in other news related to the health law's implementation --

Kaiser Health News: Feds Push Maryland To Think Big On Health Cost Control
If quiet negotiations between policymakers and industry bear fruit, Maryland could join the short list of states attempting to go far beyond the Affordable Care Act in improving health and limiting spending (Hancock, 8/28). Read the story.