CBHC Reaction to U.S. Census Bureau 2012 Health Insurance Status Data

September 17, 2013

 

 

Statement by Jim Duffett, Executive Director, Campaign for Better Health Care, on U.S. Census Bureau 2012 Health Insurance Status Data

 

This morning, the U. S. Census Bureau announced findings from the official report on income, poverty and health insurance coverage for the nation.  The news, as expected, was not great.  There are still too many Americans who do not have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they and their families will be able to obtain quality, affordable health care when they need it. 

The good news is that thanks to the Affordable Care Act, this is the last year in the history of our nation we will ever see such high numbers of uninsured Americans. Starting with next year's report, these numbers will shrink by tens of millions as more Americans are covered because of all the different consumer protections and eligibility expansions contained in Obamacare. 

The numbers will get smaller as more young adults stay covered on their parents' insurance plans through age 26, protecting them through the  period of time between graduating college and finding work in a challenging job market.  More Americans will be insurable despite their pre-existing conditions.  And as more small businesses qualify for tax credits that allow them to offer health insurance coverage to their employees, yes - those numbers will keep going down.

Millions of Americans who will find coverage through the new Marketplace will know it is they that are in charge of their health care, not the insurance industry.  Millions of Americans will know peace of mind, the power of choice, personal responsibility, and fairness; all the values that we attach to health care will finally be realized.  Those are the numbers that we look forward to seeing increase over the next few years, thanks to Obamacare.

 

# # #

 

About Campaign for Better Health Care

We believe that accessible, affordable, quality health care is a basic human right for all people.  The Campaign for Better Health Care is the state's largest coalition representing over 300 diverse organizations, organizing to help create and advocate for an accessible, quality health care system for all.  For more information, visit  www.cbhconline.org.