PROCUREMENT LAW GOVERNING THE CERTIFICATION OF QUALIFIED HEALTH PLANS IN FEDERALLY FACILITATED HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGES

In 2010, 49.9 million Americans lacked health insurance. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), passed by Congress and signed thto law by Pres Barack Obama in March 2010, made extensive changes to the federal health care system to address that statistic. Congress intended for the ACA to provide better health security by reforming health insurance, lowering health care costs, guaranteeing more choice in coverage, improving access to care, and enhancing the quality of care available to all Americans. The ACA responded to previous unsuccessful attempts to enact health care reform, and to the continuing struggle of uninsured and underinsured individuals who lack both the access and financial means to receive necessary health care. Moreover, there are few affordable health insurance options for individuals and small businesses, and it is often impossible to compare plans in terms of premium cost, benefits, cost sharing, provider networks, or quality of care.