Nevadans Are Benefiting From ‘Cheaper Premiums And Expanded Eligibility’ For Health Coverage
CARSON CITY, Nev. – As some Nevada politicians continue to push for the creation of an unaffordable, unnecessary state government-controlled health insurance system known as the state government option, The Wall Street Journal reports on the “cheaper premiums and expanded eligibility” for Nevadans and all Americans under the recently-enacted American Rescue Plan Act’s (ARPA) Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhancements.
- New Cost Savings & Improved Eligibility:
- ACA enhancements “have brought cheaper premiums and expanded eligibility to some of the nearly 27 million newly unemployed workers and their family members who have lost job-related health coverage during the pandemic, based on Kaiser Family Foundation estimates. Some have since found employment and may be getting job-based coverage.”
- “Nearly 1.4 million uninsured people have become newly eligible for the ACA’s subsidies following revisions to the health law through pandemic relief legislation passed in March. In addition, many people who already have plans have seen their premiums reduced. The changes marked the biggest overhaul to the health law since its passage in 2010, and have resulted in consumers saving an average of $70 a month, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.”
- Most Americans Are Satisfied With Their Health Coverage:
- “Seventy-four percent of Americans in 2020 rated their healthcare coverage as excellent or good this year, the highest measured to date, according to Gallup polling.”
- “Seventy-four percent of Americans in 2020 rated their healthcare coverage as excellent or good this year, the highest measured to date, according to Gallup polling.”
- Momentum Is Growing To Make ACA Enhancements Permanent:
- President Biden proposes “to make the lower ACA premiums, which are slated to end after 2022, permanent.”
At the same time, Nevada Business reports that “insured and uninsured Nevadans can take advantage of new, drastically reduced insurance premiums” under ARPA:
- “More Nevadans Qualify for Savings: New insurance premium savings apply to Nevadans making more than 400% of the federal poverty level. So even if you think you don’t qualify for financial assistance (subsidies or tax credits), you may actually have significant savings waiting to be claimed.”
- “Premiums for the Unemployed Start at $0: The American Rescue Plan provides subsidies for Nevadans who have recently received unemployment insurance. Those premiums can be as low as $0.”
- “Insured Nevadans Can Save: If you already have insurance purchased through Nevada Health Link, or through another provider, you can still save. Nevada’s special enrollment period allows you to update your enrollment, enroll in coverage and claim those savings through August 15, 2021.”
- “For Uninsured Nevadans, Coverage Has Never Been Cheaper: If you are uninsured because health insurance has always been out of your reach, now is the time to check back with Nevada Health Link. The cost of health insurance has dropped dramatically and you might be surprised at how inexpensive quality insurance plans have become.”
A recent analysis by the Brookings Institution also highlights the significant resources now available for Americans to obtain affordable health coverage under ARPA and concludes that elected leaders in Carson City should take “caution against making lasting changes” to the state’s health care policies “until matters are clearer.”
- To learn more about Nevada’s Health Care Future, CLICK HERE.