Name: Happy Birthday ACA! And what federal COVID relief means for your health care - Oklahoma Policy Institute
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Happy Birthday ACA! And what federal COVID relief means for your health care - Oklahoma Policy Institute

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The (ACA), signed into law on March 23, 2010, has the number of people who have health insurance, expanded access to care, and led to . It has also cost less money than was originally estimated. Through the introduction of Medicaid expansion and the , the ACA was a good first step in making it easier to access affordable health care.The recently passed (ARPA) builds on the success of the ACA and further strengthens the health care safety net. The ARPA will provide many Oklahomans with a new or significantly less expensive pathway to affordable health care by providing additional health-related funding to states and more direct assistance to Oklahomans.&nbsp;With the passage of the ARPA, the federal government will provide enhanced support to state Medicaid programs through the (FMAP) program, which determines the amount of federal matching funds for certain social services and state medical and medical insurance expenditures. The federal government already pays about of Oklahoma’s Medicaid costs and will pay of the state’s expansion expenditures, and has provided an additional in the base (non-expansion) FMAP during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The ARPA increases the federal government’s investment in Oklahomans’ health by providing an in the base FMAP rates for states that have not yet implemented Medicaid expansion. Under this provision, Oklahoma could receive between and , which would more than cover the estimated cost of Medicaid expansion.&nbsp;The new bill the state with other investment opportunities. Oklahoma can now easily expand postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to a full year after the birth of a child. This change would begin to mitigate the state’s in which about of all maternal mortality deaths occur in the postpartum period. Through March 2022, Oklahoma will also receive a 10-percentage point increase in the FMAP rate for home- and community-based services. These additional funds will help older Oklahomans and those with disabilities stay in their homes and communities to receive necessary care. Finally, the ARPA provides full federal funding for health care provided through , an important step in fulfilling this country’s to provide health care for American Indians.The ARPA doesn’t just provide more money for states. Many Oklahomans will for new or increased discounts as (APTCs) or be able to maintain their health insurance from a previous employer. APTCs provide discounts on monthly premiums for health plans purchased through the federal .&nbsp;About purchased health insurance through the federal Marketplace in 2020, and are expected to enroll in 2021. Before the ARPA was signed into law, people who purchased through the Marketplace and who made between ( for a family of four) qualified for APTCs. These tax credits ensure low- and middle-income families don’t spend more than a certain percentage of their income on health insurance. The ARPA will make health insurance more affordable by across the board and making APTCs available to more middle-income families. Additionally, , anyone who experiences unemployment at any time in 2021 will be to have income at 133% of the federal poverty line ($35,245 for a family of four). This means people who become unemployed will qualify for large APTCs and will be able to continue seeing their providers and accessing necessary medication. The charts below show how the ARPA’s changes will make health care more affordable.Annual Income:Previous Marketplace Premiums:&nbsp;ARPA Marketplace Premiums:&nbsp;$12,880 – $17,130$266 and $355$0$17,130 – $19,320$531 – $800$0$19,320 – $25,760$800 – $1,680$0 – $515$25,760 – $32,200$1,679 – $2,682$515 – $1,288$32,200 – $38,640$2,682 – $3,798$1,288 – $2,318$38,640 – $51,520$3,798 – $5,064$2,318 – $4,379400%+ FPLno premium assistance$4,379Uninsured at any point in 2021dependent on other circumstances$0&nbsp;In addition to increased premium assistance, the ARPA also provides for Oklahomans with Marketplace and employer-sponsored health insurance.&nbsp;Individuals who have previously been unable to afford to purchase health insurance through the Marketplace should return to between and to see if the increased discounts provided by APTCs make their health insurance options more affordable. Similarly, people who are unemployed and unable to maintain health coverage through due to high costs should reconsider this option to see if the increased federal assistance makes it a more feasible option. Understanding all of these options can be difficult, but can assist in determining the best course for individual Oklahoma families. To reach free, local, non-profit Health Navigators across the state, call or text: 405-313-1780.The pandemic and resulting economic recession have hurt the health and financial stability of many Oklahomans. Direct assistance to individuals will make health care more affordable for thousands of Oklahomans, and the ARPA provides the state with a unique opportunity to invest in all its citizens. Increased funding for Medicaid expansion, longer postpartum care, a stronger home- and community-based services program, and full funding for Tribal facilities will provide enhanced support for Oklahomans as the state begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The ARPA is an important step towards making affordable health coverage for all Oklahomans a reality.&nbsp;This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. .

The (ACA), signed into law on March 23, 2010, has the number of people who have health insurance, expanded access to care, and led to . It has also cost less money than was originally estimated. Through the introduction of Medicaid expansion and the , the ACA was a good first step in making it easier to access affordable health care.The recently passed (ARPA) builds on the success of the ACA and further strengthens the health care safety net. The ARPA will provide many Oklahomans with a new or significantly less expensive pathway to affordable health care by providing additional...

Happy Birthday ACA! And what federal COVID relief means for your health care - Oklahoma Policy Institute

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