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Healthcare

How Federal Reform Will Help Missouri’s Families and Communities

In March 2010,  the U.S. Congress passed and the President signed into law The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590, now P.L. 111-148) and The Health Care and Reconciliation Act of 2010 (HR 4872, now P.L. 111-152).

These new laws help all Americans and Missourians in the following ways:

-Provide more than 32 million Americans access to affordable health coverage.

-Reduce the federal deficit by $124 billion over 10 years.

In Missouri:
-495,000 uninsured Missourians will gain health coverage.

-More than 1 million Missourians will access coverage through the health exchange.

-516,000 residents qualify for premium tax credits to purchase health coverage.

-961,000 seniors will receive free preventive services.

-171,000 seniors will have their brand-name drug costs in the Medicare Part D “doughnut hole” halved. Within ten years the donut hole will be fully closed.

-79,900 small businesses could receive a small business tax credit to offset premiums. Small businesses eligible for these tax credits employ more than 303,000 workers.

-559,000 young adults through age 26 will have the right to keep their family’s insurance.

-180 Community Health Centers throughout MO will receive large increases in funding.

-More than 90,000 Missourians with pre-existing conditions will immediately gain access to affordable coverage.

-The Missouri economy will benefit from $8.4 billion in new spending as a result of premium and cost sharing credits during the first five years of the Exchange.

-Employers and small businesses will have the ability to create more than 6,000 jobs as a result of stabilizing and reducing health care costs.

Educational Presentations on the New Health Care Laws:

Members and staff of the JCRC Health Care Advisory Committee are available to give presentations to your group explaining federal health care reform and its benefits.  If interested in learning more or to schedule a presentation for your congregation, school, or committee, contact Gail Wechsler at gwechsler@jcrcstl.org or 314-442-3894.