California, more than any other state, is at the forefront of preparations for the roll out of the Affordable Care Act in January 2014 when a controversial requirement that most Americans have medical coverage or pay a penalty takes effect. “We are the example,” said Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, an advocacy group. “If it can be done here, it can be done anywhere.” So far, only 13 states and the District of Columbia have told the Obama administration they intend to set up the insurance exchanges. None are being watched as closely as California. The California Health Benefit Exchange has already hired 50 employees and construction of the Web portal through which some three million people are expected to buy insurance by 2019, and through which many others will likely enroll in Medicaid, is under way according to a report in the New York Times.