Polis Hails Passage Of Historic Health Care Bill

Press Release

Polis Hails Passage Of Historic Health Care Bill

Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) today urged his colleagues to join him in voting for H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which passed the House by a vote of 220 to 215.

"Today we made history and we finally made good on our promise to deliver meaningful health care reform. Today the House stated loud and clear what the good people of Colorado have known all along--that all Americans should have access to quality, stable, affordable health care.

Health care should make people's lives better, not worse. No one should have to live with the fear that sickness will bankrupt their family or stay with a job they hate to keep the insurance they couldn't otherwise afford. Today we took the first step to reform our broken health care system to ensure that no suffering American falls through the cracks.

Although the journey has been long and hard and is far from over, I am proud to support the bill before us today--a stronger and better bill that helps more and costs less than any alternative including the status quo. It is time we put aside partisanship and bickering and do what's best for our constituents and the physical and economic health of our nation."

CD2 Benefits under H.R. 3962 - the Affordable Health Care for America Act:

• Improve employer-based coverage for 505,000 residents.
• Provide credits to help pay for coverage for up to 145,000 households.
• Improve Medicare for 65,000 beneficiaries, including closing the prescription drug donut hole for 7,500 seniors.
• Allow 23,400 small businesses to obtain affordable health care coverage and provide tax credits to help reduce health insurance costs for up to 22,300 small businesses.
• Provide coverage for 71,000 uninsured residents.
• Protect up to 1,400 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.
• Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and health care providers by $52 million.

Affordable and Improved Health Care Coverage for the Middle Class

Better health care coverage for the insured. Approximately 72% of the district's population, 505,000 residents, receive health care coverage from their employer. Under the legislation, individuals and families with employer-based coverage can keep the health insurance coverage they have now, and it will get better. As a result of the insurance reforms in the bill, there will be no co-pays or deductibles for preventive care; no more rate increases or coverage denials for pre-existing conditions, gender, or occupation; and guaranteed oral, vision, and hearing benefits for children.

Affordable health care for the uninsured. Those who do not receive health care coverage through their employer will be able to purchase coverage at group rates through a health insurance exchange. Individuals and families with an income of up to four times the federal poverty level -- an income of up to $88,000 for a family of four -- will receive affordability credits to help cover the cost of coverage. There are 145,000 households in the district that could qualify for these affordability credits if they need to purchase their own coverage.

Coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions. There are 14,100 individuals in the district who have pre-existing medical conditions that could prevent them from buying insurance. Under the bill's insurance reforms, they will now be able to purchase affordable coverage.

Health care and financial security. There were 1,400 health care-related bankruptcies in the district in 2008, caused primarily by the health care costs not covered by insurance. The bill caps annual out-of-
pocket costs at $5,000 for singles and $10,000 for families and eliminates lifetime limits on insurance coverage, ensuring that no citizen will have to face financial ruin because of high health care costs.

Security for Seniors

Improving Medicare. There are 65,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the district. The health care reform legislation improves Medicare by providing free preventive and wellness care, improving primary and coordinated care, improving nursing home quality, and strengthening the Medicare Trust Fund.

Closing the Part D donut hole. Each year, 7,500 seniors in the district hit the donut hole and are forced to pay their full drug costs, despite having Part D drug coverage. The legislation will provide these seniors with immediate relief, covering the first $500 of donut hole costs in 2010, cutting brand-name drug costs in the donut hole by 50%, and completely eliminating the donut hole by 2019.

Helping Small Businesses

Helping small businesses obtain health insurance. Under the legislation, businesses with up to 100 employees will be able to join the health insurance exchange, benefitting from group rates and a greater choice of insurers. There are 23,400 small businesses in the district that will be able to join the health insurance exchange.

Tax credits for small businesses. Small businesses with 25 employees or less and average wages of less than $40,000 will qualify for tax credits of up to 50% of the costs of providing health insurance. There are up to 22,300 small businesses in the district that could qualify for credits.

Covering the Uninsured

Coverage of the uninsured. There are 110,000 uninsured individuals in the district, 17% of the district residents under age 65. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that nationwide, 96% of all Americans will have insurance coverage when the bill takes effect. If this benchmark is reached in the district, 71,000 people who currently do not have health insurance will receive coverage.

Relieving the burden of uncompensated care. In 2008, health care providers in the district provided $52 million worth of uncompensated care. This care was provided to individuals who lacked insurance coverage and were unable to pay their bills. Under the legislation, these costs of uncompensated care will be virtually eliminated.

Deficit Responsibility

No deficit spending. The cost of health care reform under the legislation is fully paid for: half through eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and excessive profits for private insurers in Medicare and Medicaid and half through a surcharge on the income of the top 0.3% wealthiest individuals. This surcharge will affect only 1,350 households in the district. The surcharge will not affect 99.57% of taxpayers in the district.

Reducing the deficit. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill will cut the deficit by over $30 billion over the next decade and will continue to create a budget surplus over the next 20 years.

This analysis is based upon the following sources: the U.S. Census (data on insurance rates and small businesses); the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (data on Medicare and Part D enrollment) the Department of Health and Human Services (data on health care-related bankruptcies, uncompensated care, and pre-existing conditions); and the House Committee on Ways and Means (data on the surtax).

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