Progress is underway in the government's plan to develop health insurance exchanges. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced that states will be eligible to receive a grant worth up to $1 million to help create the exchange.

The new exchange system is suppose to help make access to health care easier. People who purchase their own individual health insurance plans, such as those who are self-employed, stand to greatly benefit from the program.

"With most states struggling to keep their budgets in balance, these grants will give them the resources to conduct the research and planning needed to build the health insurance marketplace of the future," says HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "We are working hand-in-hand with states as we carefully implement the exchanges to make sure they best meet people's health insurance needs."

Under health care reform, all Americans will be required to have health insurance. The health insurance exchanges are slated to be in place by 2014. Providers in the exchange program have to meet certain cost and benefits criteria.