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Wonkbook: Some very good news for Obamacare
Wonkbook: Some very good news for Obamacare
Obamacare got some very good news on Thursday.
In 2009, the Congressional Budget Office predicted that a medium-level “silver” plan — which covers 70 percent of a beneficiary’s expected health costs — on the California health exchange would cost $5,200 annually. More recently, a report from the consulting firm Milliman predicted it would carry a $450 monthly premium. Yesterday, we got the real numbers. And they’re lower than anyone thought.
As always, Sarah Kliff has the details. The California exchange will have 13 insurance options, and the heavy competition appears to be driving down prices. The most affordable silver-level plan is charging $276-a-month. The second-most affordable plan is charging $294. And all this is before subsidies. Someone making twice the poverty line, say, will only pay $104-a-month.
Sparer plans are even cheaper. A young person buying the cheapest “bronze”-level plan will pay $172 — and that, again, is before any subsidies.
California is a particularly important test for Obamacare. It’s not just the largest state in the nation. It’s also one of the states most committed to implementing Obamacare effectively. Under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger — remember how that really happened? — California was the first state to begin building its insurance exchanges. The state’s outreach efforts are unparalleled. Its insurance regulators are working hard to bring in good plans and make sure they’re playing fair. If California can’t make the law work, perhaps no one can. But if California can make the law work, it shows that others can, too.
- more -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/05/24/wonkbook-some-very-good-news-for-obamacare/
Obamacare got some very good news on Thursday.
In 2009, the Congressional Budget Office predicted that a medium-level “silver” plan — which covers 70 percent of a beneficiary’s expected health costs — on the California health exchange would cost $5,200 annually. More recently, a report from the consulting firm Milliman predicted it would carry a $450 monthly premium. Yesterday, we got the real numbers. And they’re lower than anyone thought.
As always, Sarah Kliff has the details. The California exchange will have 13 insurance options, and the heavy competition appears to be driving down prices. The most affordable silver-level plan is charging $276-a-month. The second-most affordable plan is charging $294. And all this is before subsidies. Someone making twice the poverty line, say, will only pay $104-a-month.
Sparer plans are even cheaper. A young person buying the cheapest “bronze”-level plan will pay $172 — and that, again, is before any subsidies.
California is a particularly important test for Obamacare. It’s not just the largest state in the nation. It’s also one of the states most committed to implementing Obamacare effectively. Under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger — remember how that really happened? — California was the first state to begin building its insurance exchanges. The state’s outreach efforts are unparalleled. Its insurance regulators are working hard to bring in good plans and make sure they’re playing fair. If California can’t make the law work, perhaps no one can. But if California can make the law work, it shows that others can, too.
- more -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/05/24/wonkbook-some-very-good-news-for-obamacare/
Covered California announces health plans, proposed rates
Consumers Union Praises Covered California’s Release of Plans and Proposed Rates as Important Milestone for Implementing the Affordable Care Act
Health Insurance Exchange Offers Plans Eligible for Subsidies, Enables Californians to Make Smart Choices
Sacramento, CA — Covered California, the new statewide marketplace for private health insurance, announced today the health plans that have been chosen to participate, along with their proposed rates. The announcement is an important milestone in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, according to Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports.
“Cost is crucial for consumers trying to decide on a health plan that is right for them,” said Betsy Imholz, Special Projects Director for Consumers Union. “Covered California will make it dramatically easier for consumers to compare plans and make smart choices that fit their budget.”
Millions of Californians will be able to compare plans easily and choose affordable, high-quality health insurance coverage starting this summer. Californians who aren’t covered by their employer or through Medicare or Medi-Cal can apply for coverage from Covered California beginning on October 1, 2013.
The rates announced today, which are still under review by the Department of Managed Care and the Department of Insurance, cover a standardized, comprehensive benefits package that all participating insurers must provide regardless of health history. The standardized design will make it easy for consumers to make apples-to-apples comparisons of different plans based on cost and provider networks.
- more -
http://consumersunion.org/news/covered-california-announces-health-plans-proposed-rates/
Consumers Union Praises Covered California’s Release of Plans and Proposed Rates as Important Milestone for Implementing the Affordable Care Act
Health Insurance Exchange Offers Plans Eligible for Subsidies, Enables Californians to Make Smart Choices
Sacramento, CA — Covered California, the new statewide marketplace for private health insurance, announced today the health plans that have been chosen to participate, along with their proposed rates. The announcement is an important milestone in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, according to Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports.
“Cost is crucial for consumers trying to decide on a health plan that is right for them,” said Betsy Imholz, Special Projects Director for Consumers Union. “Covered California will make it dramatically easier for consumers to compare plans and make smart choices that fit their budget.”
Millions of Californians will be able to compare plans easily and choose affordable, high-quality health insurance coverage starting this summer. Californians who aren’t covered by their employer or through Medicare or Medi-Cal can apply for coverage from Covered California beginning on October 1, 2013.
The rates announced today, which are still under review by the Department of Managed Care and the Department of Insurance, cover a standardized, comprehensive benefits package that all participating insurers must provide regardless of health history. The standardized design will make it easy for consumers to make apples-to-apples comparisons of different plans based on cost and provider networks.
- more -
http://consumersunion.org/news/covered-california-announces-health-plans-proposed-rates/
Study: Obamacare May Reduce Premiums In New York
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022804988
3 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
K & R 
Good to know California is going to be the example on how O-Care can/will work. I'm a retired state employee, this should help with my premiums too. HALLELUJAH 
