Illinois Senate Moves Towards Passing State Based Health Insurance Marketplace

In passing HB3227 (formerly SB34) today, the Illinois Senate took a major step in establishing a state based health insurance marketplace that helps small businesses and individuals in Illinois.

State Senator David Koehler (D-46 Peoria), chief sponsor of SB34 (now contained in HB3227) commented after the vote, "I am pleased that a super majority of my colleagues in the Senate voted for Illinois to establish its own state health insurance marketplace. Expanding help and providing a voice for small businesses and individuals who will be utilizing the new Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace is the intention of the Affordable Care Act, and I am proud that the Illinois Senate has made that commitment."

Brigid Leahy, Director of Legislation at Planned Parenthood of Illinois, said, "If we're running things at the state level, we can fix things, we can make them better, we have better control over making sure that it works for consumers. If it’s in the hands of the feds, we don’t have that power."

HB3227 establishes a pro-consumer and pro-small business health insurance marketplace in Illinois. The health insurance marketplace will be the one-stop insurance shop for more than a million Illinoisans.

Speaking on behalf of the Illinois Public Health Association, Tom Hughes said, "The diversity of this board will best represent the population of Illinois and protect consumers in the new marketplace."

HB3227 ensures that the marketplace is governed by a diverse board that represents women, small businesses, communities of color, labor, public health, people with disabilities, and consumers, and provides for accountability of the insurance industry selling plans on the new marketplace.

Jim Duffett, Executive Director of the Campaign for Better Health Care, said, "This historic vote by the Illinois Senate today shows the Senate's commitment to Illinois small businesses and individuals who will be eligible for the new Illinois health insurance marketplace. When fully implemented nearly 1.2 Illinoisans will be utilizing this marketplace. HB3227 will provide small businesses and consumers a direct voice in developing and implementation a State Based Marketplace that meets the needs of Illinoisans. Now it is up to the Illinois House to show their commitment and support to small businesses and individuals, and to President Obama's Affordable Care Act."

ADDENDUM
HB3227 Fact Sheet

Media Contacts:

Jim Duffett, CBHC Executive Director
217.352.5600 office / 217.840.5850 cell

Kathleen Duffy, CBHC Communications Director
312.913.9449 office / 773.934.4754 cell

Immigrant Health Care Access & The Affordable Care Act

A recently released report entitled “Affordable Care Act Implementation in Illinois: Overcoming Barriers to Immigrant Health Care Access” demonstrates the need for a culturally competent market place and navigator program that will cater to the complex needs of the immigrant population of Illinois. Luvia Quiñones of the Illinois Family Resource Program and Abdelnasser Rashid of the Illinois Immigrant Integration Institute collaborated on the report. They address the following questions:   

Who are the uninsured immigrants in Illinois?

• Illinois is home to 1,754,808 immigrants. 45% are naturalized U.S. citizens and 55% are either Legal Permanent Residents, (LPR’s), or undocumented. Of the immigrant population:
  
  • 77% are Latino 
• 16% are White
• 11% are Asian
• 30% of the total uninsured population in Illinois is comprised of immigrants. 

  How will the uninsured immigrant population benefit from the ACA?

•  48% of the immigrant population will be eligible for coverage in the state of Illinois.

What are the current and future barriers immigrant families face while trying to access health and human services?

1. Language, literacy and cultural barriers, (Illinois has the 5th largest limited English proficiency population in the country).
2. Complexity of application process and of eligibility rules
3. Logistical and Public Education Challenges  
4. Administrative burdens, (many cases are left open as agencies wait to determine the legal status of a client).
5. Limited computer proficiency
6. Climates of fear and mistrust (particularly common among mixed status families, which comprise around 25% of all immigrant families in the U.S). 

How can IL best serve and enroll the maximum number of uninsured immigrants through the marketplace?

The report highlights the strategies already employed by the Immigrant Family Resource Program, (IFRP). IFRP subcontracts with 37 community organizations that work with immigrant populations, and over the past 13 years has worked to improve the lives of over 425,000 immigrants and refugees by:

• Ensuring that a diverse population of immigrants are able to connect to services through the capacity to communicate in 45 languages,
• Collaborating with community members and state staff to clarify what documents are required for assistance and insurance program applications, AND 
• Engaging trusted community organizations already frequented by immigrant populations and educating them on pertinent issues.

Incorporating these strategies into the Illinois health insurance marketplace will be instrumental in reaching the immigrant population in Illinois.

Click here for coverage of the report in last week’s Tribune!

Visualize It!

For the second consecutive year, Health & Disability Advocates (HDA) has released its Visualizing Health Care Reform tool, a unique, interactive map that allows users to see a geographic and demographic breakdown of uninsured state residents who will be eligible for healthcare coverage when the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is fully implemented beginning in 2014.

The visualization is an especially practical tool for groups in the public, private and non-profit sectors, who are planning how they will meet the demand for information and for assistance to connect individuals with the new health care options. The interactive map allows users to pinpoint data for 87 Illinois communities, or roll up to larger regions around the state. The latest release of the tool provides geographic and demographic breakdowns of those who will become eligible for coverage in Illinois, as well as the undocumented non-citizens who do not have a new path to coverage.

The AP covered the tool yesterday and focused in on the over 40,000 uninsured veterans in Illinois - 32% (13,000) of whom will be newly eligible for Medicaid in Illinois, as long as the Medicaid expansion passes the legislature.

HDA CEO, Barbara Otto, was featured on WGN News illustrating how to use the tool.

With Visualizing Health Care Reform, we hope to help build an on-ramp to affordable health care for eligible individuals and families while also helping those on the implementation side to plan for a smooth and effective transition.

Please share the tool with your networks and email us if you have questions!

Illinois Senate Takes First Major Step To Passing A State Based Health Insurance Marketplace

Springfield - The State Senate Insurance Committee passed HB3227, formerly SB34, today, a major step in establishing a health insurance marketplace that helps small businesses and individuals in Illinois.

State Senator David Koehler (D-46 Peoria), chief sponsor of SB34 which was folded into HB3227, said, "To live up to the intention of the Affordable Care Act, we need to expand our help and support for the small businesses and consumers who will be using the new Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace. My bill does this, and I am pleased that my colleagues on the Insurance Committee were able to pass it."

Mark Burris of Springfield, the owner of MCCE Investments and owner of seven Subway Sandwich franchises, said, "Small businesses need a level playing field and there must be checks and balances with the insurance companies."

Burris continued, "In this bill, financing of the health insurance exchange under is through assessments of the insurers, as it should be. The insurance industry will benefit from the tax dollars used to create the infrastructure of the how the exchange is set up. It is only appropriate that they finance the day to day operations of the insurance health marketplace when an estimated one million new insurance customers will be purchasing private health insurance."

HB3227, formerly SB34, establishes a pro-consumer and pro-small business health insurance marketplace in Illinois. The health insurance marketplace will be the one-stop insurance shop for more than a million Illinoisans.

Jim Duffett, Executive Director of the Campaign for Better Health Care, said "This new marketplace will offer small businesses access to more affordable health insurance plans. Instead of paying 18% more than larger businesses, they will have a chance to compete for and retain good employees by providing affordable insurance. A win-win for small businesses and their employees because of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly referred to as Obamacare."

HB3227, formerly SB34, ensures that the marketplace is governed by a diverse board that represents women, small businesses, communities of color, labor, public health, people with disabilities, and consumers, and provides for accountability of the insurance industry selling plans on the new marketplace.
 

Speaking on behalf of the National Association of Women Business Owners Chicago (NAWBO Chicago), Linda Forman said, "Who sits on the insurance exchange governing board is very important. We believe that a statewide governing board will be better able to understand the needs of women and the diversity of backgrounds and geography of small businesses throughout this state if the governing board is composed of the types of people who will be using the health insurance exchange marketplace."

"We can all agree that what we had has not worked very well, and to continue to do nothing is a bad mistake. We are excited to support HB3227, formerly SB34, and proud to be part of the Small Business Health Care Consortium. Our members are proud to see us take a step in the right direction on behalf of small business all across the state," said Larry Ivory, President of the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce. "We congratulate the members of the Insurance Committee for taking that step for Illinois small businesses and individuals today."

ADDENDUM

HB3227 (containing SB34 language) Fact Sheet

Kathleen Duffy
Campaign for Better Health Care

The ACA is Coming – How Can I Help Enroll People?

The past few weeks have brought a flurry of activity from the federal and state government agencies who are reaching out to community-based entities to solicit their assistance in Affordable Care Act outreach, education and enrollment. In Illinois, it’s even more confusing because there are three possible “helper” groups: Navigators, In Person Counselors and Certified Application Counselors. 

This blog is intended to answer some of your frequently asked questions about these enrollment helpers and how you can get involved.

What’s a Navigator and How Can I Be One? 
“Navigator” is the term that has been given to people or organizations charged with providing guidance to individuals enrolling in the Health Insurance Marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act. Many of you have been wondering how you can become one of these entities. Unfortunately, there are no actual “navigator positions” right now. This is because various entities have to apply for funding (grant application due June 7) to become navigators and receive training.

What do you mean by “entity”?
Many types of groups/entities can be Navigators. Self-employed persons and public or private organizations are eligible to apply for funding to operate as Navigators (see the FAQ here). In each Marketplace there must be at least two sub-sets of entities and at least one will be a community and consumer-focused nonprofit. There are some restrictions, however: navigators cannot have conflicts of interest. Therefore, navigators cannot be health insurers, have affiliations with health insurers, or accept any form of payment from insurers that is related to enrollment inside or outside of the marketplaces.

What if I don’t want to or am not eligible to apply for these Navigator grants?
If you don't think you or your organization would qualify for this funding alone, you could consider reaching out to another organization in your area that might be applying. Check out this consumer assistance matchmaking spreadsheet to meet up with other groups. Another option would be to wait until the grants have been decided upon and then reach out to see if the recipient organizations need any additional staff.

What is the In-Person Counselor (IPC) Program?
In-Person Counselors (IPCs) are the same as Navigators, in that they will educate people about the new system, help them understand their health plan choices, and facilitate their selection of the plan that is right for them. They are different than Navigators because funding for these entities comes from the state instead of the federal government and they will receive training directly from the state.

The IPC grant application just came out and applications are due May 30th. Entities in Illinois can apply for these funds and hire new personnel or use existing staff as In-Person Counselors in the community. Find more information and access to the application here. The Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace will be conducting a webinar for those interested in the IPC program on Thursday, May 9 at 10 am. You must register to participate. 

But how is a Navigator and In Person Counselor different from a Certified Application Counselor (CAC)?
CAC's have been defined as “trusted community-based organizations, providers, or other organizations with expertise in social service programs.” CACs allow organizations that would likely aid consumers anyway (such as hospitals or clinics) be involved more formally in the process of finding health coverage. Unlike Navigators and IPCs, CACs are not eligible for public funding but the Marketplace will be required to certify CACs to help people apply for Medicaid and plans sold through the exchange.

So what should I do now if I want to be one of these helpers?

• Read the IPC application
• Look at the Illinois Consumer Assistance Matchmaking Spreadsheet to see who else wants to apply to be a Navigator or IPC
• Participate in the webinar on May 9th about the IPC program
• Stay tuned for more information about the CAC program in Illinois 

Feel free to email us at info@illinoishealthmatters.org with any questions!

Stephani Becker & Alexa Herzog
Illinois Health Matters

New Study Builds Case for Expanding Medicaid

A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms what consumer health advocates have known for decades: Medicaid is essential for keeping low-income households on stable financial footing. This should come as no surprise, since protecting families from unexpected and devastating medical costs is exactly what health insurance is meant to do. The study also proves that Medicaid coverage significantly improves beneficiaries’ mental health.

But opponents of Medicaid have distorted the study’s results; they claim it supports their agenda to block millions of low-income, uninsured families from accessing this vital coverage program. Their arguments are misinformed at best. The new study only strengthens the case for expanding Medicaid.

What the study tells us: Medicaid Works!

The researchers looked at the health and finances of low-income, uninsured Oregon residents who were given the opportunity to enroll in Medicaid through a one-time lottery, and compared it to their peers who remained uninsured.

The study shows that Medicaid virtually eliminated all catastrophic medical expenditures (medical expenses exceeding 30 percent of household income) for its beneficiaries. It also indicates that people with Medicaid coverage are significantly less likely to face any medical debt, borrow money to pay bills, or skip payments.

These results are extremely promising, especially in light of the fact that medical bills currently prompt more than 60 percent of U.S. bankruptcies. If we want to reduce the drag bankruptcies create on our economy and the ruin they leave behind in our communities, providing low-income families with Medicaid coverage is a good place to start.

The study also found that Medicaid is a powerful tool in combating mental illness. Medicaid beneficiaries in the study were 30 percent less likely to suffer from depression than those who remained uninsured. Given that suicide takes more lives in the US than any other form of injury and that depression accounts for more than $83 billion in the US between lost productivity and medical expenses, the impact of Medicaid on depression deserves attention and celebration.

File Under: Non sequitur

Instead of celebrating, opponents of Medicaid are arguing this study makes the case for withholding Medicaid coverage from millions of low-income, uninsured families. They base this on the study’s failure to detect statistically significant improvements in a handful chronic disease measures — blood pressure, cholesterol, or hemoglobin levels — in those with Medicaid compared to those without coverage.

That’s like saying because your blood pressure didn’t go down, we are going to prevent you from getting coverage for cancer treatment or a pap smear.

It’s certainly true that the U.S. health care system needs to be better at managing chronic conditions. We routinely lag behind other industrialized nations on measures of chronic care management, such as following medical guidelines for treating hypertension and diabetes. Plus, this study only looks at the impact of two years of coverage; significant improvements in these persistent chronic illnesses may take much longer to materialize.

This is hardly a reason to block millions of low-income families from gaining health coverage they need and deserve. We have no evidence that people with private insurance or Medicare fare any better than Medicaid beneficiaries on these measures, yet no one is suggesting we should all drop our health insurance.

Getting people covered is the first step in creating an effective health care system that works for everyone, but it is not the only step. The ACA contains numerous initiatives to improve the quality of health care.

File under: extremely relevant

Meanwhile, dozens of states are still trying to decide whether or not to take up the option to extend Medicaid coverage to millions of low-income, uninsured adults. This study confirms Medicaid can give beneficiaries peace of mind that they won’t go bankrupt when they experience that unexpected illness, and make staggering improvements in their mental health. It adds to the growing list of reasons why this decision should be a no-brainer for all 50 states.

Katherine Howitt, Senior Policy Analyst
Community Catalyst

(This blog was first published on the Community Catalyst Blog)

Young People Get Covered in Big Numbers

Today, the Commonwealth Fund released the findings of its Biennial Health Insurance Survey, showing that a skyrocketing number of young people have gained insurance since the health care reform passed.

While it is clear that 2014 coverage options will be crucial – there are still high numbers of the population who were either uninsured, underinsured, or unprotected from high out-of-pocket costs – young people have already begun to see new reform benefits due to the earlier implementation of the dependent coverage provision.  Specifically, the report stated that:

• Approximately 3.4 million young adults have gained coverage since the dependent coverage provision took effect.
• About 79 percent of 19 to 25 year-olds were insured at the time of the survey, up from 69 percent in 2010.
• The number of people saying they had trouble with medical bills or debt climbed in the past decade, yet stayed statistically the same from 2010 to 2012.  According to Commonwealth, this is likely due to the increased coverage of young adults, since other age cohorts saw either no improvement or deterioration in coverage.

In other words, the ACA’s dependent coverage provision has increased coverage and saved young people from medical bills and medical debt.

The better news? The best is yet to come.  Over half of the potential new Medicaid enrollees are under the age of 35, and millions more will have access to subsidies on new health care marketplaces.  This survey makes clear: when offered good options, young people enroll in insurance.  And the ACA has some really great options coming down the pike.

Jen Mishory
Young Invincibles

(This post was first published on the Young Invincibles Blog here)
http://younginvincibles.org/2013/04/young-people-get-covered-in-big-numbers/