PPACA Benefits What Zip Codes Most?

[Ann H]

Kaiser did a map of the US, showing what areas are benefited most by PPACA (meaning who would get subsidies or expanded Medicare in the under-age-65 market). You can enter a zip code & see further details. In my zip code it's 18% who would get subsidies. Interesting stuff. However, Kaiser said in the sidebar that subsidies will go to people earning under 400% of Federal Poverty Level, but they didn't put in other qualifications like the premium must be under 9.5% of your income. As we know, that kicks many people out of subsidies, including singles under age 40 with incomes of 301% to 400% of FPL, and many 2-person families, etc. Following is the map, and a link:
Mapping the Effects of the ACA's Health Insurance Coverage Expansions - Kaiser Health Reform
Image:

 

[somarco]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

So what happens if the Exchanges never get funded and subsidies never materialize?

I like in a reasonably high income zip code and according to KFF 18% of our population will benefit. There are pockets that have a high percentage of low income residents, but I would believe they make up a very small percentage of our population (roughly 120,000).

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Somarco - it's exactly what I've been wondering. If the feds can't fund the subsidies, that doesn't nullify the law. The law would still be in affect and legally, they'd be in violation of their own law - open to a flood of lawsuits. I would image states would sue to recover any money they spend on setting up their exchanges.

 

[stuy119]

Hahahaha

We're in a middle-class suburb of Chicago, the exact set of people the law was designed to help by reducing costs associated with coverage. Depending up on the area, only 10-13% will receive help with premiums.

Pure ridiculousness.

 

[YouGotMyMoney]

my zip it says 20%, my old zip in Broward County is 31%

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

My zip is a whopping 6%.

 

[Dave020]

16% average in my area cities.

 

[Ann H]

I'm a little surprised by all of this. Someone said 85% of Americans will get subsidies, and that seemed high to me. So I did a quick survey of clients on my books where I already knew what their income was and about 11% might qualify. Not a scientifically accurate survey, but just a brief review. Among my friends and extended family, I think about 10% would qualify. Granted, my circle of friends & most of my family have good careers, and not all of America does. However, when I translate this into "how much business will I lose", I realize that I don't insure the poor right now anyway.

I wonder if Kaiser's map even takes into account the 9.5% of premium test. Their text on the page just uses the 400% of FPL test, as does their subsidy calculator and some other tools. I wonder if the CBO is right that it will be 20 million Americans that qualify for the subsidy and 24 million that will purchase from the exchange.

 

[stuy119]

I wonder if Kaiser's map even takes into account the 9.5% of premium test. Their text on the page just uses the 400% of FPL test, as does their subsidy calculator and some other tools. I wonder if the CBO is right that it will be 20 million Americans that qualify for the subsidy and 24 million that will purchase from the exchange.

Does that mean that the law was successful? Or does that mean that it was unsuccessful?

There's a case for both sides based upon those stats ... and coincidentally, it proves the point that Mitt Romney made about poor people.

 

[Yagents]

So from what I gather, they are only looking at the pool which includes currently uninsured, or current IFP client. Correct?

If so, the other 80% make too much money, and will gladly purchase from a private health exchange. 50 million uninsured = 40 million prospects. my zip was in the teens

methodology states:

The percentages shown represent the share of people under age 65 who are in families with incomes up to 400% of federal poverty who at the time they were surveyed either (1) were not covered by public or private health insurance or (2) were covered by health insurance that they purchased directly and were not covered by any other type of public or private health insurance.