Report: Health Reform gives families, small businesses more choices

A new HHS report finds that some families could save up to $14,900 a year, while small businesses could save up to $6 billion over two years.

 

By Viji Sundaram

(Distributed by New America Media)

www.newamericamedia.org

 

Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius released a report Jan. 28 that says that each year from the time the health care reform law is fully implemented in 2014, a low-income family of four could save up to $14,900. Small businesses will also be able to save from the tax credits offered in the law.

“For too long, skyrocketing health care costs have made it hard for businesses to provide coverage for employees, and have made it difficult for families to afford coverage,” said Sebelius. “The Affordable Care Act is providing families and businesses with more freedom, choices, and savings in their health care coverage.

“Without the Affordable Care Act,” she added, “consumers and businesses would face higher premiums, fewer insurance choices, and rapidly rising health care costs.”

One of the important provisions for individuals and businesses in the ACA is the state-based health exchanges through which people can compare benefits and services before buying insurance. California is the first state in the nation to set up such an exchange. According to the HHS report, a middle-class family purchasing private insurance through the exchange could save as much as $2,300 a year.

Starting in 2014, the exchanges will allow individuals and small businesses to pool together and use their market strength to buy coverage at a lower cost.

Among the report’s other highlights are:

* Tax credits provided by the ACA will lead to even greater savings. For example, in 2014, a low-income family of four could not only save as much as $14,900 per year they will also qualify for tax credits and reduced cost sharing.
* In 2014, small businesses, on average, could save up to $350 per family policy, and many of them may be eligible for tax credits of up to 50 percent of their premiums.
* The tax credits are already available to small businesses, and cover 35 percent of their premiums. For example, a firm with 10 workers who earn an average of $20,000 annually could currently receive credits of $35,000 annually. These tax credits could save small businesses $6 billion in 2010 and 2011.
* All businesses will likely see lower premiums by 2019, which could generate millions of dollars in savings.

These savings are in sharp contrast to the rising insurance costs families and businesses have experienced over the previous decade. From 1999 to 2009, premiums more than doubled, rising by over $7,500 for the average family that gets insurance through an employer.
The high cost of health care made it difficult for many small businesses to offer insurance to their workers. The percentage of small employers offering health insurance dropped from 65 to 59 percent between 1999 and 2009.

The report outlines several of the provisions of the ACA that HHS has already begun to implement that will help create these savings, including provisions to increase transparency in the health insurance marketplace. In 2011, most health insurance companies will be required to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on health care and quality improvements, rather than overhead and administrative costs. States have received new resources to improve their review of proposed health insurance premium rate increases, and HHS has proposed that, in 2011, any proposed rate increase above 10 percent should be reviewed.

In addition, businesses are receiving new resources to help meet rising health care costs for employees and retirees. Many small businesses are already eligible for tax credits that cover up to 35 percent of insurance costs for their employees. And more than 5,000 sponsors have been accepted into the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program, which is designed to provide financial relief to help early retirees and their families continue to have quality, affordable health coverage.

The entire report can be found at: http://www.healthcare.gov/center/reports/premiums01282011a.pdf

Visit New America Media’s Web Site at www.newamericamedia.org or you can write to them at: 275 9th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 | Tel. 415-503-4170.
www.newamericamedia.org