the uninsured: what do the new numbers mean for health reform? alliance for health reform john m....
DESCRIPTION
Recent Reforms: Working Families and Small Business Health Coverage Act (2007) Medicaid Expansion: Expansion of Benefits for Families – Began July 2008 –Income eligibility level increased from approximately 30% of FPL to 116% of FPL –Raised income eligibility level from less than $6,000 in annual income for a family of three to about $20,000 annually –Moved Maryland from near the bottom of states to above average –Over 47,000 parents and caretaker relatives enrolled Expansion of Benefits for Childless Adults (contingent on funding) –Primary Adult Care (PAC) Program –Phased in over three years –May cap benefits and enrollmentTRANSCRIPT
The Uninsured: What Do the New Numbers Mean for Health
Reform?
Alliance for Health Reform
John M. Colmers, Secretary Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
September 18, 2009
Maryland’s Coverage Rate Trends
• Percent Uninsured - Under 64– 2007 - 2008 14.4%– 2005 - 2006 15.6%– 2000 - 2001 12.0 %*
• % Medicaid - Under 65– 2007 - 2008 10.2%– 2005 - 2006 9.1%– 2000 - 2001 6.0%
• Privately Insured - Under 65– 2007 - 2008 76.0%– 2005 - 2007 76.0%– 2000 - 2001 83.0%
Recent Reforms: Working Families and Small Business Health Coverage Act (2007)
• Medicaid Expansion:Expansion of Benefits for Families – Began July 2008
– Income eligibility level increased from approximately 30% of FPL to 116% of FPL
– Raised income eligibility level from less than $6,000 in annual income for a family of three to about $20,000 annually
– Moved Maryland from near the bottom of states to above average – Over 47,000 parents and caretaker relatives enrolled
Expansion of Benefits for Childless Adults (contingent on funding)– Primary Adult Care (PAC) Program– Phased in over three years– May cap benefits and enrollment
Enrollment – Medicaid & MCHP
758,000
821,000
733,000
706,601699,000
722,000
713,000
771,000
640000
660000
680000
700000
720000
740000
760000
780000
800000
820000
Dec 2004 Dec 2005 Dec 2006 Dec 2007 Dec 2008 Aug 09 (est)
Excluding Expansion Parents
Working Families and Small Business Health Coverage Act (2007) (continued)
• Small Business Subsidy ProgramHealth Insurance Partnership – Began October 2008
– Subsidy of up to 50% cost of premium for business with 2-9 FTEs, $50,000 average wage, and not offering coverage for 12 months
– Wellness benefits and Section 125 Plan requirements– State administers the program through insurance carriers, offering employers a choice
of carrier and plan– Over 200 businesses and 1,000 individuals have enrolled
• Additional ReformsKids First Act (2008) changed tax form for 2008 and 2009 to allow taxpayers to indicate
whether dependent children have insurance.Simultaneously streamlined enrollment process
Concluding Thoughts• While Maryland has made important strides much
remains to be done.
• The economy, expanded access and an emphasis on outreach are leading to a surge in enrollment in public programs. – Significant reform at federal level is essential
• Maintaining status quo cannot be an option– High costs, more uninsured, States’ employers, taxpayers and
economy suffer