SPECIAL REPORT: Healthcare Reform
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
For many, the impact of the recently passed health care reform law remains unknown. Much debate and political grandstanding that fueled the yearlong congressional battle over the law will likely continue through the election cycle this fall and beyond. While Rhode Island’s four members of Congress trumpeted the legislation’s passage, the newly elected Senator in Massachusetts condemned the legislation. “I am strongly opposed to the trillions of dollars in spending, the billions of dollars in tax increases and the enormous financial burden it will put on Massachusetts families and businesses. The simple fact is that this bill will hurt jobs and the economy in our state at a time when unemployment remains near ten percent,” said Scott Brown.
GoLocalProv.com will follow the implementation of health care reform in Rhode Island through a series of updates featuring interviews with experts of differing viewpoints in healthcare, business, economists, and the public. As federal regulations that interpret and apply the law are written, the impact of health care reform for Rhode Island will continually evolve. GoLocalProv.com will present the facts and issues for you to review and analyze.
Key facts for Rhode Islanders about health care reform:
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST* Starting in 2014, more than 200,000 residents may obtain affordable coverage through a health insurance exchange, including those who do not have health insurance (a projected 140,000 Rhode Islanders in 2010), those who buy insurance directly from an insurer, and small businesses that offer insurance to their employees.
* As many as 89,400 residents may qualify for tax credits to help offset health insurance costs—tax credits will be available for individuals earning up to approximately $43,000 or $88,000 for a family of four.
* Health insurance plans will cover 100% of the cost of preventive services for all Rhode Islanders, including colonoscopies, mammograms, wellness visits, and immunization.
* The 31,500 Medicare beneficiaries in Rhode Island who hit the prescription drug “donut hole” will receive a $250 rebate in 2010. Beginning in 2011, they will receive a 50% discount on brand name drugs.
* As many as 14,100 small businesses that offer insurance to their employees may be eligible for tax credits to make premiums more affordable—tax credits will be available starting in 2010 for businesses with 25 or fewer employees and average annual wages of less than $50,000.
* As of September 2010, young adults will be able to obtain health insurance through their parents’ plan until the age of 26.
[1] http://dpc.senate.gov/dpcdoc-sen_health_care_bill.cfm
[2] http://www.ohic.ri.gov/documents/Insurers/Reports/2010%20Uninsured%20Study%20Report/1_Mathematica%20Final%20Report.pdf
[3] http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/rhodeisland.html
[4] http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/8059.pdf
[5] http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/8065.pdf