GOVERNOR MCKEE HIGHLIGHTS AFFORDABILITY FOR ALL PROPOSAL TO MAKE HEALTHSOURCE RI COVERAGE MORE AFFORDABLE

The following information was released by the office of the Governor of Rhode Island:

Governor Signs Executive Order to Further Lower Costs forHealthSourceRICustomers

CENTRAL FALLS, RI Governor Dan McKee wasjoined today byHealthSourceRI (HSRI) leaders, community health partners, and health insurance navigators at Blackstone Valley Community Health Careto highlighthisAffordability for Allefforts to make health insurance more affordableforHSRI customers.

The average cost of health coveragepurchasedthrough HSRI has risen from $109 to $220 in the past year due to rising health care costs and Congressional Republicans' refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) extended, enhanced premium tax credits. This has resulted in a 10-percent decline in enrollment at HSRI from last year.

"My plansupportsRhode Islandersby keepingcosts low, putting more money in their pockets and sending a clear message that we will not gamble with their health and well-being,"saidGovernor Dan McKee.

The Governorsigned anExecutiveOrderon Thursdaythatwill bring in anadditional$12 millionin federal tax creditsto Rhode Island to reduce health insurance premiums forHSRI customersearningbetween 200% and 400%of the federal poverty level. This wouldreduce premiumsfor most individual customers in that earning bracket by $500 annually; a family of four should see a reduction of approximately $1,600 annually.

TheExecutiveOrderdirects the Office of the Health Insurance Commissionernot onlytouse regulatory tools to lower costs, butalso to boost transparency by creating a health care price dashboard and by creating the first in-depth analysis of state benefit mandates since 2014.

The Governoralsohighlightedhis FY27 budget proposal to provide $9.5 million in financial relief to HSRI's most vulnerable customers, which is part of his Affordability for All agenda.By backfilling the recently expiredenhanced federalsubsidies, Rhode Island can help keep coverage for around 20,000HSRIcustomers who make no more than 200% of the federal poverty level.Forexample,a44-year-old customer making $31,0000 a year would seea $51 monthly bill under this proposal, as opposed to his current$170 monthly bill.

"The combined impact of the Rhode Island Marketplace Affordability Program proposed in the budget, and the Executive Order announced today would benefit more than 80% ofHealthSourceRI customers and help preserve our hard-fought low uninsured rate, lending stability to the healthcare system," saidLindsay Lang, Director ofHealthSourceRI. "I thank Governor McKee for his forward thinking on this issue, to find state solutions that work for our marketplace and the tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders who rely on it for health insurance."

"Lack of insurance leads to delayed care, which causes needless suffering and paradoxically increased costs," saidDr. Cristina Pacheco, Chief Executive Officer for BVCHC."We wholeheartedly support the Governor's efforts today to improve Rhode Islander's access to health care."

"In January, Blackstone Valley Community Health Care saw 1,400 patients who lost health insurance coverage through HSRI.This significantlyimpactsour financial health and ability to continue to serve all our patients," saidCraigMcAnaugh, Chief Financial OfficerforBlackstone Valley Community Health Care.