Nearly 200,000 in Missouri might lose health-insurance subsidies

With the announcement of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act expected soon, many are beginning to speculate how states could be affected if the court rules against it.

At issue in the case of King v. Burwell is whether the federal government can offer tax-credit subsidies to consumers in states that did not set up their own health insurance marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare.

Families USA, a not-for-profit agency in support of the ACA, on Tuesday released congressional district-level data that shows the number of Missourians that would lose health insurance subsidies if the Supreme Court determines the tax credits may not be offered to consumers in the federally run marketplaces. The congressional district data were derived from U.S. Health and Human Services reports of enrollment by zip code that do not include data for zip codes with fewer than 51 enrollees.

Throughout the state, Families USA estimates 198,000 people are at risk of losing subsidies. That includes 19,000 people in the 8th Congressional District, which encompasses Southeast Missouri.

The average premium paid by Missouri consumers eligible for subsidies is $82 a month, the group said. Without subsidies, the rate increases to $363 per month.

Families USA also released data for 11 other states Tuesday. It will release information on 11 more Thursday and another 11 next week. Executive director Ron Pollack said the loss of subsidies likely equals loss of health insurance coverage for most consumers, because many no will longer be able to afford the premiums.

"We put these maps together to show the very real pain that will be inflicted on huge numbers of families in states across the country if the subsidies are struck down by the Supreme Court," he said. "To protect the health of all Americans, it is imperative, obviously, that the court uphold the availability of premium tax credit subsidies in every state."

Others view the lawsuit as an opportunity to take a closer look at the American Care Act, which many view as restrictive, and search for more opportunities to give states more power over health-care policy.

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, of the 8th congressional district, said he's heard stories across the district of people whose health-care coverage was "negatively impacted by Obamacare." He's been an outspoken proponent of full repeal of the law and agrees states need more say in the matter.

"We also have to give states more flexibility to deliver health care than Obamacare's top-down, one-size-fits-all approach from Washington," he said. "It handcuffs states and puts bureaucrats in between patients and their doctors."

As for the court case, Smith said House Republicans are working on a plan to "ease the burden on American families" if the court rules the subsidies cannot be offered in the states with federally operated marketplaces.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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