When fully implemented, the Affordable Care Act will save Pennsylvania households earning less than $100,000 a year an average of $2,370. That's according to "The Bottom Line: How the Affordable Care Act Helps Pennsylvania Families," a report from Families USA, a non-profit, non-partisan health consumer group.
All provisions of the Affordable Care Act will be fully implemented in 2014. Numbers in the report are for 2019, giving the law a few years to become established.
Families USA Executive Director Ron Pollack said both currently insured and uninsured families and individuals will benefit in the long run. Families who have coverage currently face rising premiums and increasing out of pocket payments.
"The financial benefits of health reform will come to these families in the form of lower premiums and the reduction of out of pocket spending when they seek care. Families without coverage will benefit from health premium tax credits and access to new state marketplaces," said Pollack.
Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA-14) lauded the report, and reiterated his support for the much-maligned Affordable Care Act.
"I think one of the great things about this report is it puts the impact that the Affordable Care Act will have on typical families in dollar and cents terms that will help them evaluate this health care reform bill for themselves," said Doyle.
Some of the key findings of the report include that for families who had coverage before the bill fully takes effect:
- Households with income under $30,000 will pay $1,109 less in premiums
- Households with income between $30,000 and $50,000 will pay $1,213 less in premiums
- Households with income between $50,000 and $100,000 will pay $770 less in premiums.
For families who are uninsured:
- Households with income under $30,000 will receive an average of $5,061 in help with the cost of health coverage.
- Households with income between $30,000 and $50,000 will receive an average of $4,850 in help with the cost of health coverage.
- Households with income between $50,000 and $100,000 will receive an average of $2,875 in help with the cost of health coverage.
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to discuss November 10 whether to hear challenges to the Affordable Care Act during this session.
The full report by Families USA can be found here.
