PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Rhode Island is requesting Washington's help to create an online market for health insurance.
Gov. Lincoln Chafee (CHAY'-fee) announced Tuesday that his administration is applying for a $74.5 million federal grant to defray the cost of setting up the state's Health Benefit Exchange. The online exchange is one of the requirements contained within the federal Affordable Care Act.
Chafee, an independent, says the exchange is intended to allow consumers and businesses to compare health insurance plans and connect eligible citizens with health insurance subsidies. It's scheduled to be operational by 2014.
The federal government is expected to announce a decision on the grant by the end of the year.
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