Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard last week applauded the launch of HealthCare.gov, the most comprehensive resource about health care available.The website hosts a wealth of clear, jargon-free information, including a consumer-friendly tool that will help individuals and small businesses navigate the complicated process of shopping for health insurance. The creation of the website was one of the key features for consumers included in the Health Insurance Reform legislation signed into law in March. "Information is power, and this site puts power back into the hands of Californians," Roybal-Allard said. "Whether you're a new college graduate, a family who has recently lost insurance, or someone with a pre-existing condition - this site has a list of insurance options available for you. This website is an important resource to find out how the health reform law can help you." The core of the new website is the powerful insurance options finder. After consumers input a few pieces of background information - such as state, age range and current insurance status - the tool will generate a list of both private and public health insurance options. The tool will list details of insurance plans offered in that state, and include contact information for each company so consumers can contact the companies that best fit their needs. Beginning in October, the tool will also include pricing information, further simplifying health insurance shopping. "This tool creates a marketplace of transparency and competition, and helps put consumers in control of their health care," Roybal-Allard said. "Families and small businesses can easily search for available insurance options and make informed decisions about their health care with thorough, unbiased information." "With the addition of plan price estimates in October, HealthCare.gov will enable consumers to compare both the quality and the cost of their health insurance options so they can choose what plan works best for them," Roybal-Allard continued. "Not only will this website expand consumer choice, but it will also increase competition among insurers to offer better quality and more affordable coverage." The insurance options finder has a database of more than 2 billion scenarios, with listings from more than 1,000 insurance carriers and over 5,500 insurance products. The website also hosts more than 500 new pages of content, such as a health care reform implementation timeline and state-by-state information for people with pre-existing conditions.

********** Published: July 8, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 12