New Analysis Shows Benefits of Health Reform Reaching 11th District Residents

Press Release

Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) announced today that a new analysis outlines significant health care cost savings and access to benefits through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This analysis is being released just as House Republicans are preparing to take their 38th vote to undermine and repeal the protections and reforms of the health care law.

The analysis was prepared by the Minority staff of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and provides estimates by congressional district of the number of people benefiting from health care law.

"Over the last three years since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, millions of Americans have received better coverage and in many instances, obtained diagnostic tests or prescriptions at a lower cost," said Congresswoman Fudge. "This includes hundreds of thousands of people in Northeast Ohio in the 11th Congressional District."

"Many residents of my district -- ranging from children to young adults to seniors-- with pre-existing conditions need the critical protections and savings created by the health care law. The benefits are real and will continue to reach even more Americans as the law is fully implemented," Congresswoman Fudge pointed out.

The new analysis shows that the Affordable Care Act has already provided several important benefits and savings:

· 6,400 young adults in the district now have health insurance through their parents' plan.

· More than 10,100 seniors in the district have received prescription drug discounts worth $13.5 million, an average discount of $500 per person in 2011, $760 in 2012, and $710 thus far in 2013.

· 142,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductible.

· 160,000 individuals in the district -- including 30,000 children and 72,000 women -- now have health insurance that covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductible.

· 136,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative overhead. Because of these protections, over 7,100 consumers in the district received approximately $600,000 in insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011 -- an average rebate of $133 per family in 2012 and $139 per family in 2011.

· Up to 41,000 children in the district with preexisting health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health insurers.

· 186,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

· Up to 99,000 individuals in the district who lack health insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a preexisting health condition.1 In addition, the 26,000 individuals who currently purchase private health insurance on the individual or small group market will have access to more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be eligible for financial assistance.

1 Presently, coverage for many of these individuals -- those with incomes below 100% of the federal poverty level -- is in doubt. The ACA provides for the fully funded expansion of Medicaid to cover these individuals. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that the decision to take these funds and provide this coverage is at the discretion of the Governor and the Ohio Legislature. To date, the Governor and Ohio Legislature have not approved the expansion of Medicaid to these individuals, putting their access to affordable coverage in doubt.

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