Rep. Matsui Highlights That Millions More Americans Will Gain Health Coverage Through Medicaid Thanks to the ACA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 9, 2013
CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163
Rep. Matsui Highlights That Millions More Americans Will Gain Health Coverage Through Medicaid Thanks to the ACA
If health law was repealed more than 1.3 million Californians would lose newly gained health coverage through Medi-Cal
Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06) highlighted recent data that shows that there will be 1.3 million fewer uninsured Californians by 2016 as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Rep. Matsui also called on governors across the country that have rejected the ACA's Medicaid expansion to follow California's lead and allow their constituents access to health coverage through Medicaid.
As a result of the health care law, states can choose to expand their Medicaid coverage to all adults with incomes below 133% of poverty (around $32,000 for a family of four). In return, the state receives 100% of federal funding to cover those costs for the first three years and no less than 90% federal support for those costs in the years following. So far, 26 states and the District of Columbia have taken up this Medicaid expansion opportunity.
"The Medicaid expansion provisions in the Affordable Care Act are another tool for helping all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care," said Congresswoman Matsui. "In the Sacramento region, this expansion is having a tremendous impact, helping thousands who did not have health insurance be covered for the first time. Expanding Medicaid, or as it's known in California Medi-Cal, will help improve the health of millions of Americans across the country and assist participating states with saving money on uncompensated health care."
According to the California Simulation of Insurance Markets (CalSIM), over 100,000 individuals will be newly eligible for Medi-Cal in the Sacramento region. Sacramento County has already taken advantage of the Low Income Health Program (LIHP), a managed care health plan allowing residents who do not qualify for Medi-Cal to receive health care coverage until, due to the ACA, the Medicaid program expands to all non-Medicare eligible individuals in 2014. Sacramento County currently has over 12,000 individuals enrolled in LIHP. In 2014, these individuals will transition into Medi-Cal.
"It's great to see what this expansion means to the individuals and families who have never really had a medical home and who, at last, are getting access to regular medical care. We are turning the corner from the days of episodic, emergency-based care to a community where we avoid emergencies by ensuring that people have access to preventive care," said Sherri Z. Heller, Director, Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services.
As a result of the states that have opted to expand their Medicaid coverage and the opening of the new Health Insurance Marketplaces, we know that 6 in 10 currently uninsured Americans will have access to health coverage for $100 per month or less next year. That number would rise to 8 in 10 if every state expanded Medicaid coverage.
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