Today, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the release of a report that highlights the benefits of health insurance reform for Virginia. “Health Insurance Reform and Virginia: The Case for Change” is available at www.HealthReform.gov.
“Families, seniors and businesses are all suffering under the health care status quo,” said Sebelius. “Our new reports demonstrate how health insurance reform will improve health care for all Americans.”
Under health insurance reform in Virginia:
- 1.2 million residents who do not currently have insurance and 344,000 residents who have non-group insurance could get affordable coverage through the health insurance exchange.
- 684,000 residents could qualify for premium tax credits to help them purchase health coverage.
- 1.1 million seniors would receive free preventive services.
- 190,000 seniors would have their brand-name drug costs in the Medicare Part D “doughnut hole” halved.
- 93,400 small businesses could be helped by a small business tax credit to make premiums more affordable.
Without some type of health reform, by 2019, the number of uninsured will grow by more than 30 percent in 29 states and by at least 10 percent in every state. Without reform, the amount of uncompensated care provided will more than double in 45 states. Additionally, businesses in 27 states will see their premiums more than double and fewer people will have coverage through an employer if the status quo continues.
