There are absolutely plans available on the exchanges that will exclude certain hospitals. The talking points of that article are that if you choose the cheapest plan on the exchange you will have limited options. It doesn't say a thing about what you get if you choose an expensive option. A very one sided article really.

It is that way right now with insurance provided through your employer. If you choose the lowest deductible plans in most employer sponsored plans you will find that not all hospitals may accept the insurance. UHC at Delta is good in that regard and most hospitals accept UHC. Not all employers are that way. If you have access to UHC plans on the exchange in your state, you will have access to the same hospitals that you do in your Delta sponsored plan. If you want to find the cheapest plan available to you via the exchange, you will find limited options.

I don't like the way the affordable care act was pushed on us any more than the next guy, but the reality of the situation is that it is now law and the chances of it being repealed are basically nil. All of us will purchase healthcare on the exchanges within 5 years so you better have it figured out. Right now in my state if Delta would give me $700 per month to buy health insurance from an exchange, I would be no worse off going with an HSA option available via the exchange.