Which group is primarily responsible for operating the Federally-facilitated Marketplace?

The group primarily responsible for operating the Federally-facilitated Marketplace is the federal government. The Federally-facilitated Marketplace was established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to provide a platform for individuals and families to purchase health insurance coverage. This platform is managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees its operations to ensure compliance with federal regulations and guidelines.

The federal government's involvement ensures that a consistent, standardized process is available for those seeking health insurance across states that opted to use the federally-facilitated Marketplace instead of establishing their own state-based exchanges. The objective is to facilitate access to affordable health care coverage and to provide necessary consumer protections.

While local health departments, health insurance companies, and private sector organizations play significant roles in the broader context of health care and insurance, they do not operate the Marketplace. Local health departments may provide outreach and education to citizens, health insurance companies offer various plans for consumers to choose from, and private organizations may engage in facilitating insurance or providing services. However, the governance and operational responsibility for the Marketplace itself rest firmly with the federal government.