Greater Cleveland Congregations – June 23, 2011 Health Care – Federal, State, and Local Problems By Gary Benjamin

How many of us need health care?  But many of our neighbors can ’ t find high quality care.  No Insurance.  Can ’ t find a doctor.  Cost too high.  Medicaid/Medicare won ’ t pay enough.  Have more than one condition.  Other ??

The present system -  Costs too much  Covers too few (50.7 million uninsured)  Fails too many Those with pre-existing conditions can ’ t get covered Insurance companies drop coverage or raise premiums when people get sick Doesn ’ t give everyone equal access to good health Provides fragmented care with poor quality outcomes

What did Federal Reform Do? Requires more people to buy affordable insurance or pay a tax. Makes insurance more affordable by providing sliding scale subsidies Prohibits discrimination against those who are sick or injured.

What will Federal Reform Do?  1.4 million uninsured Ohioans could get affordable coverage through the health insurance exchange  942,000 Ohioans could qualify for premium tax credits to help them purchases health coverage  1.8 million seniors would receive free preventive services  325,000 seniors would benefit from closing the “ donut-hole ” in Medicare Part D  165,000 people with pre-existing conditions will no longer by denied insurance  118,000 small businesses could be helped by a tax credit to make premiums more affordable Center for Community Solutions

What will federal reform do? Medicaid Revolution!  Medicaid will be available to all adults with incomes up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level ($29,326 for a family of 4)  Doctors accepting Medicaid will be paid more.  16 to 18 million people covered.  Over 1 million in Ohio.

Are the obstacles gone now?  No Insurance?  Can ’ t find a doctor?  Cost is too high?  Medicaid/Medicare won ’ t pay enough?  Have more than one condition?  Other ??

What can we do?  Work locally on care delivery.  Work locally on access to care.  Work on payment reform. Show me the money!  Make sure the mandate is not repealed.  Make sure Medicaid/Medicare are funded well.  Work on cost – drug prices; hospital billing; other ??

What can we do? Examples -  Health care and financing it is the biggest business in North East Ohio.  We can work In your hospital or doctor ’ s office; Locally – Healthy Cleveland and more; State – Exchange and more; Federally – Medicaid funding and more.