"In an effort to ensure independence in governance and policy setting, avoid conflicts of interest, and ensure long-term viability, 11 states created a quasi-governmental agency to operate their marketplaces. Governing boards composed of experts and key stakeholders oversee the new agencies; the majority of states prohibit insurers and/or brokers from serving on the board.... [S]everal require that issuers offer a standardized plan design to enable consumers to more easily compare plans based on price and provider networks.... States used a variety of interactive web features to provide a customer-friendly application and shopping experience, including allowing consumers to browse plans before creating an online account or submitting an application."  MORE >>