UPDATED: 462,000 RI Residents at Risk if Health Law Repealed
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
An estimated 462,000 Rhode Islanders with pre-existing conditions could lose their health insurance coverage if the GOP-controlled House repeals the health care reform law, according to a report the White House released yesterday.
The state health insurance commissioner, Chris Koller, warned that repeal would have other consequences for the state’s health care system as well.
“The Office (of Health Insurance Commissioner) and the Chafee administration are working to implement all phases of Federal Health Reform and to continue the work of addressing the underlying cost drivers in RI by promoting a delivery system focused on primary care and provider payment reform,” Koller said.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHe added: “Repeal of federal health reform would deprive RI of important benefits like preventive care, dependent coverage and enhanced Medicare drug coverage, and ultimately result in employers picking up a greater share of the rising costs of the uninsured which number 140,000 and are growing.”
In a conference call with reporters yesterday, Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts said reducing the number of uninsured would benefit everyone in the system. About 10 to 15 percent of the cost of health insurance for those who have it is the result of the higher cost of health care for the uninsured, according to Roberts. “With everyone in the insurance pool you can really make progress,” Roberts said.
She said Massachusetts was a model for Rhode Island to follow. There, thanks to a new law mandating health insurance coverage, she said uninsured rates had fallen to about 2.5 percent.
Roberts also warned that Rhode Island stands to lose millions of dollars in federal funding if the law is repealed.
129 million American affected
Nationally, as many as 129 million Americans would be at risk, the White House claims.
“The Affordable Care Act is stopping insurance companies from discriminating against Americans with pre-existing conditions and is giving us all more freedom and control over our health care decisions,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “The new law is already helping to free Americans from the fear that an insurer will drop, limit or cap their coverage when they need it most. And Americans living with pre-existing conditions are being freed from discrimination in order to get the health coverage they need.”
Economic impact
U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, who joined Roberts in the conference call, credited the new law with helping in the creation of 1.3 million jobs in the private sector. She warned that repeal of the law would also affect the ability of businesses to cover their employees.
“Now is not the time to play politics with the health of Americans and the health of the economy,” Solis said.
Related Articles
- 15,000 RI Small Businesses Eligible for New Health Care Benefit
- Health Care Bill Takes Effect: What You Need to Know
- Health Care Reform: The Five Biggest Questions Facing RI
- Candidates on the Biggest Health Care Issues Facing RI
- New Health Care Law: How It Will Help RI Children
- Carcieri, Lynch Battle Over Health Care Reform
- Tufts Health Plan Convenes Quality Forum of Rhode Island Health Care Leaders
- Chafee Officially Establishes Health Care Commission
- Chafee Picks Roberts for Health Care Task Force
- GOP Candidate Enters the Ring on Health Care Fight
