title: Getting connected.
abstract: In January, State Rep. John Zerwas, MD (R-Richmond), filed House Bill 636 to create the state health insurance exchange mandated by the Affordable Care Act. Under the federal law, states must establish such an exchange or the federal government will do it for them. The exchange would provide a mechanism for individuals and small employers to shop for health coverage from qualified health plans offering a standard benefit package. Representative Zerwas says Texas needs to move forward with the exchange if it does not want the federal government to take control of a potentially sizable segment of the state's health insurance market.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ortolon
mesh_terms: D062265:Health Insurance Exchanges / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D058991:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; D013781:Texas; D014481:United States