ANNAPOLIS, MD — A group tasked with implementing federal health reform in Maryland is recommending that insurance agents and brokers continue to sell small-group health insurance when health exchanges begin operating in the state.

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on the federal health reform law, focusing itself on the individual mandate, with an expected ruling by June 2012.

The federal health reform law, if it stands, should trim the number of uninsured Americans to about 5%, according to an Oliver Wyman survey.

Each time the organization representing state insurance commissioners puts out its critique of some aspect of the federal health reform law or its proposed implementation, a key question is raised: Is the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) representing the interests of those it is serving, primarily consumers, or is it serving its own interests?

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is telling federal officials that its proposal for regulating new federally mandated multi-state health insurance plans could upset state insurance markets and erode consumer protections.

A Golden Valley, Minn.-based health provider signed an agreement to acquire a technology services company to design health care exchanges that better attract and serve insurance consumers.

Former Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario is leaving his job with the Obama Administration developing a key component included in the federal health reform law.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department will hold three forums in August to gather public input on health insurance exchanges.

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department has provided states, already hard at work on preparation, with a proposed “framework” to establish health exchanges, including an offer to partner on developing local health exchanges.

Nearly three-quarters (70%) of employers are concerned about the potential effects of the federal health reform law’s employer mandate.