Government
HHS measures insurance reform impact on the states
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 7, 2009
A series of state-by-state reports highlighting the projected benefits of health insurance reform are available through the Dept. of Health and Human Services, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Nov. 23.
The reports provide specific details on the expected benefits of reform for each state, Sebelius said. For example: 4.5 million California seniors would receive free preventive services; 565,000 Florida seniors would have costs waived for brand-name drugs that fall in the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole" coverage gap; 24,000 Nevada small businesses could be helped by a tax credit to make premiums more affordable; and 103,000 New Hampshire residents could qualify for premium tax credits to help purchase insurance coverage.
The reports also note that if substantial reform is not passed, 29 states will see the number of uninsured grow by more than 30% by 2019. The complete reports can be accessed online (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/12/07/gvbf1207.htm.
