Millions Of Consumers Face Sticker Shock When 'Open Enrollment' Begins In October

President Barack Obama’s ambitious goal that all Americans have access to health care will take a huge step forward this fall with the opening of federal and state insurance exchanges.

But it is too soon to tell whether these bold creations of the Affordable Care Act will actually bring “affordable” care to consumers. Some observers say that escalating health care costs will still find ways to tap and drain the bank accounts of small businesses, individuals and families.

With less than seven months until health insurance exchanges begin open enrollment in Missouri and other states, regulators are scrambling to implement the new law’s most sweeping — and most expensive — changes.

Health exchanges are a key part of the president’s plan to make health insurance coverage available to tens of millions of Americans who are currently uninsured. And his overhaul of the U.S. health care system also is certain to impact the lives and checkbooks of many Americans who already have health insurance.