Health Care for Maine
-------- HC4ME --------
The member organizations of Health Care for Maine (HC4ME) believe that every person in Maine should have access to high quality health care at a cost they can afford.
For Immediate Release: For More Information, Contact:
September 11, 2012 Greg White, CAHC, Public Relations
207.622.7083/gwhite@mainecahc.org
Maine Advocacy Group Touts National Report as Example of the Affordable Care Act Working
A Report Released by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Shows a Significant Decrease in Uninsured Young Adults up to the age of 26
(Augusta) The Health Care for Maine (HC4ME) Alliance Steering Committee today applauded a report released by the non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) in Washington, DC. The report showed a dramatic decrease in the number of uninsured young adults up to the age of 26. According to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of the uninsured in the young adult age bracket (19-25) was reduced to 27.9%, down from 33.9% in 2010. That represents the largest decrease among any age group since the CDC began keeping track of this data in 1997. The provision allowing young adults to remain on their parents' health insurance coverage up until the age of 26, which came into effect as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as "ObamaCare," in September of 2010, is credited for positive change in coverage for previously uninsured young adults. That provision is the only major change in national health policy affecting insurance coverage for this age group in every state, and analysts agree the change would have an impact of this magnitude.
"Extending coverage to age 26 has been a huge benefit for young adults, particularly during the tough economic climate of the past few years," said Jen Mishory, deputy director of the non-profit youth advocacy group, Young Invincibles. "Young people are less likely to have access to jobs with benefits, and young adults have also had the highest unemployment rate of any age group during the recession. This provision has given young people piece of mind and financial security as they graduate from high school and college and look to start their adult lives."
According to the other data collected by the CDC, the overall number of the uninsured in the United States was reduced to 46.3 million people. While this stopped an upwards trend of uninsured people over the past two years, that number is still higher than pre-recession totals. The number of people with private insurance coverage continued to decline for those between 26 and 64 years of age. Many of the provisions in the ACA, which will help increase coverage for those in the private insurance market, go into effect in 2014.
Ned McCann, executive director of the Maine Children's Alliance (MCA), highlighted the CDC's findings on the number of uninsured children in the United States. "Thanks to federal programs like the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), 93% of the children in America have health insurance. Hopefully with further implementation of the ACA, more of their parents will also gain access to health insurance," said McCann.
Joe Ditré, executive director of Consumers for Affordable Health Care said, "Allowing young adults to stay on their parent's health insurance is one of a series of positive changes to private insurance in all states as a result of the President's health plan called the Affordable Care Act. Since being implemented in September 2010, it is estimated that 9,000 young adults up to the age of 26 have benefited from this provision in Maine alone. That is good news for Maine's young adults, gives peace of mind to their parents, and should help to lower insurance premiums as a greater number of younger, healthier Mainers get coverage."
The HC4ME Alliance Steering Committee consists of: the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Consumers for Affordable Health Care, Maine Center for Economic Policy, Maine Children's Alliance, Maine Equal Justice Partners, Maine Medical Association, Maine People's Alliance, and the Maine People's Resource Center. The Alliance also consists of 31 other endorsing Maine organizations and groups.
Please click here for the CBPP report
http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0011VHxFtzJ5Le84cMRthevdRH5EUNb5yyX3nlhvTL0hJ7lNBZuhlacDuguPxeaIOlwiBm_Bjy6N1rWMl1qk4KTDAoZmAgftk1WssIrHShvdbkTMFn0ekOIUo8J8YnjIywnaNVaXuRBdrQ=
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STEERING COMMITTEE
American Cancer
Society Cancer Action Network
Consumers for Affordable Health Care
Maine Center for Economic Policy
Maine Children's Alliance
Maine Equal
Justice Partners
Maine Medical Association
Maine People's Alliance
Maine People's Resource Center
ABOUT HEALTH CARE FOR MAINE
The member organizations of Health Care for Maine (HC4ME) believe that every person in Maine should have access to high quality health care at a cost they can afford.
WE SUPPORT:
Access to the complete continuum of evidence-based health care services, including preventive, acute, chronic and long-term care, that is assured through comprehensive health care coverage
Affordable health care coverage that is guaranteed for all, taking into account an individual's ability to pay
Fostering greater transparency throughout our health care system to support informed decisions by consumers, providers and policymakers
Developing public and private payment systems that reward quality evidence-based care and results while prioritizing preventive and primary care for all
Ensuring a strong consumer voice in decision-making at all levels and in all forums
Fostering and facilitating communication and collaboration with diverse interest groups and constituencies around common goals
