Why are Floridians using a Federally Facilitated Marketplace instead of a state-based exchange?

Floridians are using a Federally Facilitated Marketplace because Florida does not have a state-based exchange. Under the Affordable Care Act, states had the option to establish their own health insurance marketplaces to facilitate the enrollment of residents into health plans. However, Florida chose not to pursue this option, which means that residents must rely on the federally established marketplace, HealthCare.gov, to access health insurance options and subsidies available to them.

This situation highlights the flexibility that states have under the ACA to choose how to implement its provisions. States that opt to create their own exchanges are responsible for managing them, while those that do not can use the federal marketplace to ensure their residents still have access to care and insurance coverage. The absence of a state-based exchange in Florida directly impacts the healthcare purchasing experience for its residents, leading them to the federal option.