CA works to get word out on health insurance exchange

CA faces a daunting task in getting enough people—healthy and unhealthy, uninsured and insured—to enroll in the crucial element of the national healthcare overhaul. With the presidential election over and the nation's healthcare overhaul moving forward, CA officials have less than a year to clear up widespread uncertainty about future medical coverage options. Under the federal law, the state-run exchange aims to fundamentally reshape the health insurance market by negotiating with insurers for the best rates and assisting consumers in choosing a plan. The exchange must also help millions of Californians figure out whether they qualify for an expansion of Medicaid, the government insurance for the poor, or federally subsidized private coverage. Federal officials have a lot riding on the CA effort.