The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 has been one of the most controversial laws in decades. The ACA relies extensively on the cooperation of states for its implementation, offering opportunities for both local adaptation and political roadblocks. Health insurance exchanges are one of the most important components of the for achieving its goal of near-universal coverage. Despite significant financial support from the federal government, many governors and legislatures have taken actions that have blocked or delayed significant progress in developing their exchanges. However, many state commissioners of insurance have played constructive roles in moving states forward in exchange planning through their expertise, leadership, and pragmatism, sometimes in spite of strong political opposition to the from governors and legislatures.