6 states have passed insurance exchange legislation since ACA signed

New York-based health foundation the Commonwealth Fund announced this week that it has created a map that tracks the progress states are making toward setting up health insurance exchanges ahead of the Jan. 1, 2014 deadline set out in the Affordable Care Act.

In order to establish an exchange, states must give themselves the legal authority to do so. According to the Commonwealth exchange map, governors of six states -- California, Colorado, Maryland, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia -- have signed legislation since the passage of the Affordable Care Act last year to establish insurance exchanges in their states (Massachusetts and Utah had created exchanges prior to passage of the ACA).

In addition, legislation is pending in 13 states and the District of Columbia. Ohio has not introduced exchange legislation at the point.
 
As many as 30 million people are expected to enroll in health plans through their state exchange by 2020, either on their own or through their employers.