On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law. This groundbreaking plan includes a variety of consumer-friendly changes for implementation by 2014. Some of these changes are already in place. Today, consumers benefit from state health insurance law and protocols that lower health insurance rates for comprehensive care while eliminating co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses on preventive care and routine health screenings. State health insurance law changes the way consumers shop for insurance, secure coverage and how they pay for routine services and prescription medications. Comprehensive health insurance reform alters business practices of health insurance companies, employers and health care providers.

One of the greatest changes created by the new state health insurance law mandates that at least 80 to 85 percent of insurance premiums go directly to providing health care services and developing medical infrastructure. These laws penalize insurance companies with exorbitant operating costs, high administrative expenses and excessive profit margins by requiring them to deliver rebates to overcharged policyholders. Another exciting change requires insurance companies to justify premium increases and hikes in health insurance rates. As an incentive to keep profits and premiums in line, the government offers insurance companies access to millions of dollars in new grants. The new health care laws punish insurance companies that don't justify rate hikes by excluding them from new state-based insurance marketplaces known as Affordable Insurance Exchanges, which roll out in 2014. By offering information to consumers online, states help residents compare coverage options, rates and insurance providers more easily.

Under state health insurance law, policyholders and children with pre-existing conditions get the same benefits and health coverage as everyone else. Discrimination against patients with pre-existing conditions ends in 2014. Until then, state health insurance law allows states to implement a Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) within their area. The Department of Health and Human Services maintains similar programs in areas that opt-out of the plan. Individuals that are uninsured for six months due to a pre-existing condition can apply for PCIP coverage until the new system begins in 2014.

Other changes that lower general health insurance rates include mandated preventive care services provided free of charge and new gap coverage options for early retirees that retain employment-based health insurance. Tax credits that reimburse small businesses for 25 to 30 percent of employee health care expenses help businesses and small employers provide health coverage to more employees. Changes to state health insurance law rolling out over the next few years are lowering health insurance rates and keeping premiums affordable. These laws make health insurance accessible to millions of Americans, senior citizens and retirees struggling to find affordable health insurance, comprehensive coverage and reasonable health insurance premiums today.