Nonprofit Competition in the Health Insurance Exchange: Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans

When the Affordable Care Act was passed, Section 1332 established the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) program, which offers a consumer-friendly, high-quality nonprofit competitor to provide affordable insurance products to the small employers and individuals that will be served by the health insurance exchanges. Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut and other grantmakers are providing planning support for CO-OP development to help ensure their success and moving the needle on health reform.