Number of Uninsured Rhode Islanders Continues to Drop Thanks to the Affordable Care Act
New data released by the
"Thanks to the ACA more Rhode Islanders are able to get the comprehensive health care they need to become or stay healthy," said
In 2016, Medicaid expansion allowed 65,000 single adults with income marginally above the poverty line to have health insurance coverage and allowed around 30,000 Rhode Islanders to purchase private insurance through HSRI. Almost 90 percent of these enrollees, those with income below four times the poverty level, quality for federal tax credits to help pay their monthly premium. In addition, the majority of enrollees (66 percent) who have income below two and half times the poverty level also receive assistance paying for out of pocket costs including co-pays and deductibles. The federal/state Medicaid program provides health insurance to over one in four Rhode Islanders. In addition to the 65,000 newly-eligible single adults, 153,000 children and families with lower income and 12,000 children with special health care needs have comprehensive insurance through Medicaid. Seniors (19,000) and people with disabilities (32,000) rely on Medicaid for basic health care and many rely on Medicaid for homemaker and other services they need to live safely in the community or in a facility when home-based care is not feasible.
Recent Congressional efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act would have ended Medicaid expansion and reduced the affordability and scope of coverage purchased through health insurance exchanges. Between 22 and 23 million Americans could have lost coverage. Proposals to cut and cap the Medicaid program would put residents as well as state fiscal stability at risk.
"As a state and as a country people spoke up to stop, at least for now, the push in
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