WHAT/WHO:            The Executive Board of the D.C. Health Benefit Exchange Authority will hold its regularly scheduled meeting. The agenda includes a discussion of the establishment of additional advisory boards. Updates on Information Technology and PPACA Regulatory Rules will be presented. Reports will be given by the Interim Executive Director of the Exchange as well as the chairs of the Marketing and Consumer Outreach and Business Operations Working Committee. The Executive Board meeting, chaired by Dr. Mohammed Akhter, is open to the general public and public comments are welcomed.

WHEN/WHERE:      Wednesday, December 12, 2012 – 5:30 pm – 8 pm

DC Department of Health - 899 North Capitol Street, NE – Suite 406

 (Accessible via the Union Station Metro Station)

BACKGROUND:    The Executive Board of the Health Benefit Exchange Authority was established as a requirement of Section 6 of the Health Benefit Exchange Authority Establishment Act of 2011, effective March 2, 2012 (D.C. Law 19-0094).

The Exchange is the central mechanism created by the health reform bill to help individuals and small businesses purchase health insurance coverage. Beginning in 2014, an Exchange will be established to help consumers make valid comparisons between certified plans that have met benchmarks for quality and affordability. The Exchange will also administer the new health insurance subsidies and facilitate enrollment in private health insurance, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). With more than 93 percent of its residents insured, the District of Columbia is second in the nation for providing health insurance coverage to its residents.