On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law a bill - Affordable Care Act (ACA) to bring unprecedented health care reform to Americans. Under the ACA, health reform will make health care more affordable, guarantee choices when purchasing health insurance, expand health coverage to more Americans and enhance the quality of care received.

The following efforts are currently under way in Washington State:

• Preparation by the Health Care Authority to implement Medicaid Expansion 2014 including policy development, stakeholdering and a marketing and education plan.
• Development of a Health Benefit Exchange creating a new health-benefit marketplace for employers and individuals that must be in place by 2014.
• The Governor's Health Policy Staff is taking the lead on workforce issues, looking ahead to make sure the health care system is prepared for the changes.
• The Office of the Insurance Commissioner is in charge of making sure the health insurers include the new reforms and that the premiums are fair.
• Leveraging an early Medicaid expansion option available in the ACA, the Transitional Bridge Waiver provides federal funding to help sustain the Basic Health, Medical Care Services and ADATSA programs as a bridge to health care reform.
• Playing an important role in establishing critical health information technology designed to reduce costs, improve care and advance coordination across our healthcare system, leading to better health outcomes and healthier lives - Washington State's Medicaid Electronic Health Records Incentive Program.

To find out more about Federal Health Care Reform, watch the video below: