In March 2010, Congress enacted substantial health reform measures intended to increase access to affordable insurance, reduce the number of uninsured people, and reform both the health insurance market and the health care delivery system. The lion’s share of these reforms will take effect in 2014. However, some reforms go into effect well before that time. This brief summarizes and provides context for key immediate reforms to the private health insurance market that will take effect in 2010 and 2011.

As part of his solution to New Jersey’s current budget deficit, Gov. Chris Christie announced that, effective yesterday, he will not allow any additional parents to enroll in FamilyCare, our state’s low-cost health insurance program for working families. The governor also ordered coverage canceled outright for 12,000 taxpaying parents who are on the path to citizenship.