The White House says 953,000 Tennesseans who now are uninsured could get affordable coverage under a health insurance exchange envisioned in the federal health care overhaul.
“Families, seniors and businesses are all suffering under the health care status quo,” U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said today as she released a report highlighting what the Obama administration says are the benefits of health insurance reform for Tennessee.
The report is titled “Health Insurance Reform and Tennessee: The Case for Change.”
It seeks to make the case for reform in Tennessee. Among other things, it says:
* 953,000 residents who now do not have insurance and 351,000 residents who have nongroup insurance could get affordable coverage through the health insurance exchange.
* 595,000 residents could qualify for premium tax credits to help them purchase health coverage.
* 995,000 seniors would receive free preventive services.
*177,000 seniors would have their brand-name drug costs in the Medicare Part D “doughnut hole” halved.
* 62,400 small businesses could be helped by a small business tax credit to make premiums more affordable.
The report comes as U.S. Senate Democrats quarreled on Sunday network news programs over the shape reforms should take even after the chamber’s historic 60-39 vote Saturday night to begin debate on a bill.
Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, has raised concerns that the U.S. Senate bill as drafted would impose some $750 million in additional costs to the state over a five-year period, while the U.S. House bill would cost the state nearly double that.
Both bills use Medicaid, a state and federally funded program, to help expand coverage to millions more people.
The White House report says that if no actions are taken, the number of insured people will grow by more than 30 percent in 29 states and by at least 10 percent in every state. It also warns the amount of uncompensated care will more than double in 45 states.
Moreover, businesses in 27 states will see their insurance premiums more than double, and fewer people will have coverage through an employer if the “status quo” continues, the administration said in its news release.
For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.
