Washington, D.C. - Today, the Department of Health and Human Services unveiled HealthCare.gov, an innovative on-line tool that will help consumers take control of their health care by connecting them to new information and resources that will help them access quality, affordable health care coverage.

Requiring the establishing of this website for consumers was one of the key provisions of the Affordable Care Act.  This website is a key component of health reform.

HealthCare.gov is the first website to provide consumers with both public and private health coverage options tailored specifically for their needs in a simple, easy-to-use tool.

As HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says, “HealthCare.gov helps consumers take control of their health care and make the choices that are right for them, by putting the power of information at their fingertips.  For too long, the insurance market has been confusing and hard to navigate.  HealthCare.gov makes it easy for consumers and small businesses to compare health insurance plans in both the public and private sector and find other important health care information.”

Here are a few quick facts about HealthCare.gov. The new site includes:

•    500+ pages of new content on consumers’ rights (existing and new), how to navigate the insurance marketplace, and benefits of the Affordable Care Act -- tailored to your life situation
•    1,000+ private insurance carriers with products represented
•    5,561 open private insurance products (many of which in turn offer multiple variations of the product)
•    All Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, and operational high risk pool programs in the country
•    3 billion potential personal scenarios supported
•    All in an easy-to-use website that was built in 90 days