Health Care Reform in Michigan
Proponents for Health Care Reform have stated that the number of uninsured people will grow by at least 10% in all states and more than 30% in Michigan and 28 other states by 2019 if trends continue. Fewer will access coverage through employers and the level of uncompensated care will rise to new heights.
The Federal Administration estimates that through Health Care Reform legislation that affordable coverage through the health insurance exchange would be provided to 1.3 million Michigan residents who do not currently have coverage as well as 459,000 residents with nongroup insurance. Tax credits would assist 797,000 residents purchase coverage. Free preventive services would be provided for 1.6 million seniors. Seniors affected by the Medicare Part D ‘doughnut hole’ would receive some assistance with drug costs. And 109,000 small businesses could be helped by a small business tax to make premiums more affordable.
Proponents believe that families would benefit by a system that:
- Ensures consumer protections in the insurance market
- Creates immediate options for those who are uninsured today
- Ensures free preventive services
- Supports health coverage for early retirees
Currently 31% of Michigan residents have not undergone colorectal cancer screening and 17% of women over age 50 have not had a mammogram in the past two years. An estimated 192,000 early retirees would experience stabilization in coverage and premium relief, saving families up to $1,200 on premiums.
For Michigan seniors, health care reform will lower Medicare premiums by reducing overpayments to private plans, reduce out of pocket drug spending, improve access to preventive services.
Health Insurance Reform should eliminate the burden of paying for uncompensated care, which costs an estimated $2 billion annually in Michigan. The legislation also promotes health insurance portability and choice.
Long Term Care: the legislation firmly supports home and community based services. Proponents estimate that 722,000 Michigan residents who are aged 55 to 74 currently will need home support services after they turn 65. These services are not currently covered by Medicare or private insurance. Access to programs for these services under Medicaid is limited.
The Reform package creates a new voluntary long term care services insurance program that will provide a cast benefit to help seniors and persons with disabilities obtain services that will enable them to remain their homes and communities. (the CLASS Act)
States will be encouraged to expand their home and community based services under Medicaid by increasing federal funding and through creation of new grant programs. An estimated 20% of Michigan hospital readmissions that could potentially be prevented will be reduced by innovations in primary care and hospital interventions.
Links
President Obama's website for Health Care Reform Information
Whitehouse website for Health Care Issues
New York Times website for Health Insurance and Managed Care
Washington Post website for Health Care Reform
Kaiser Family Foundation website for Health Care Reform
New England Journal of Medicine website for Health Care Reform
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