CBO: Health Care Reform Will Lower Out-Of-Pocket Burden For Most Consumers

[jefferson_dem]

CBO: Health Care Reform Will Lower Out-Of-Pocket Burden For Most Consumers
Brian Beutler | November 30, 2009, 12:10PM

A new CBO report, requested by Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) contains some helpful, though not unexpected information about the impact of Senate health care legislation on insurance premiums, particularly in the individual market.

According to CBO, average premiums in the individual market would increase 10 to 13 percent because of provisions in the Senate health care bill, but, crucially, most people (about 57 percent) would actually find themselves paying significantly less money for insurance, thanks to federal subsidies for low- and middle-class consumers.

Those are two separate findings, but it seems likely that Republicans will use the former finding to attack reform, claiming it will raise people's premiums, and leave people confused about the second finding, which is actually the one that impacts people's pocket books.

The report finds that for the minority of consumers in the individual market who receive no federal assistance, premiums (and therefore out-of-pocket costs) will increase slightly--on the order of 10 percent--which could prove politically difficult in the years after health care reform takes effect.

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http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/cbo-health-care-reform-will-lower-out-of-pocket-burden-for-most-consumers.php

This CBO report is very positive for HCR, but is going to confuse a lot of people, and be ripped wildly out of context.

http://twitter.com/ezraklein

FULL REPORT HERE - http://cbo.gov/ftpdocs/107xx/doc10781/11-30-Premiums.pdf

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

1. Does that mean Bayh will support it?

Or was this an exploding cigar for him?

Maybe he wanted to prove costs would increase for the better off, which seems to be the case from the article.

Either way, it is good, though unsurprising, news.

[mcablue]

2. Obama promised $2,500 savings for the "typical family"

Any estimates on how close the bill would get to that goal?

[jefferson_dem]

3. I understand your concern.

I haven't seen anything along those specific lines.

I recommend you employ "the google"... or... "the twitter" if you are an advanced user.

[Clio the Leo]

4. And let's not forget the MIT report....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x24929