A number of health insurance companies have decided to stop offering child-only policies. The decisions started to arise among several providers across the country before measures of the Affordable Care Act began to take effect.

One of the new healthcare regulations prohibits health insurance companies from denying coverage to children based on medical history. Some have feared parents would only purchase plans when children are ill. Such actions would increase operational costs for providers.

Many have begun to voice their opposition for the providers' actions. While child-only policies only make up a small portion of the individual health insurance market, it provides coverage for children who need it.

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and acting Insurance Commissioner Beth Sammis announced they have reached an agreement with two major health insurance companies in the state to continue to provide child-only policies.

"Maryland is one of the first states in the nation to resolve a concern held by many Maryland families and employers," says O'Malley.

Notably, insurers in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington state announced they would stop offering child-only plans.

The unemployed have few options for obtaining health coverage. Some people opt to purchase an individual health insurance policy while others may qualify for coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act if they experienced a job loss.

Given the high volume of people being laid off and who have been out of work for extended periods of time, COBRA subsidies have been made available by the government to help cover costs. Data from research institute EBRI says that not as many people benefited from the subsidies as initially thought.

EBRI health research and education program director Paul Fronstin says it's difficult to gage how many have taken advantage of the subsidy offering.

"The COBRA subsidies that became available in April 2009 do appear to have had an impact on the percentage of nonworkers with coverage through a former employer," says Fronstin. "But they appear to have assisted far fewer than the originally estimated seven million individuals."

A number of Americans continue to struggle to find work. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics says the unemployment rate is nearly 10 percent, where it has been for the past year.

A number of state officials have begun to implement measures to help people find affordable health insurance quotes and keep premiums at bay. There are, however, some groups that are against such actions.

The Consumer Watchdog group is asserting that health insurance companies are trying to raise rates while they still can. Furthermore, the group is urging President Barack Obama to prohibit insurers from hiking rates again.

Consumer Watchdog Washington D.C. director Carmen Balber says more needs to be done to keep companies in check.

"In the meantime, insurers rush to raise premiums now just in case they have to rein in spending tomorrow," says Balber. "President Obama has the power to protect consumers from arbitrary price hikes by freezing premiums until insurers explain how they're spent in the full light of day."

Premium increases and the like have been subject of much debate. Earlier this year, a health insurance provider withdrew a rate increase request in California after an error was detected in their mathematical calculations.

Understanding health insurance can be difficult for even the most savvy consumer, especially with all the new measures taking effect. Oregon's Department of Consumer and Business Services has received a $400,000 federal grant to help educate consumers.

Such services may be needed in particular by those who find themselves entering the individual health insurance market for the first time. By 2014, most people will be required to have health insurance. As a result, a number of individuals may be seeking coverage.

Insurance Division administrator Teresa Miller says the funding will help state agencies and companies provide services to residents.

"Consumers need help figuring out which program best fits their needs or who to turn to with questions about health care reform or their insurance policy," says Miller.

Among other things, the department plans to use the money to help reach disproportionately uninsured people in the state.

In addition to seeking help through local agencies, consumers can also research plans online. Earlier this year, the government created a website aimed specifically at educating consumers on various private and public insurance options.