The Maryland Health Benefits Exchange is the health insurance exchange established by the state of Maryland in compliance with the Affordable Care Act. ACA supporters promoted exchanges as a marketplace that would offer low-cost or no-cost insurance to individuals and small businesses through a design that promotes competition and service to the consumer.

That vision has not played out in Maryland. MHBE saw a bungled rollout, ever-increasing premium costs, until a federal bailout offered relief, and high costs to taxpayers. The failure of the health insurance exchange to live up to its promise is a clear sign that the Affordable Care Act is not working in Maryland.

The MHBE has two parts: a market for individuals to purchase health insurance and a market for small businesses to purchase insurance to cover their employees. The Maryland Health Connection is a website where Marylanders can determine whether they are eligible for insurance subsidies under the ACA, shop for plans, and enroll in Medicaid if eligible. Federal regulations govern what insurance can be sold in the exchange, since they must be certified as a Quality Health Plan. While individuals can purchase insurance outside of the exchange, the only way they can use federal ACA subsidies is through the MHBE.