Effects of the Healthcare Reform in Hawaii

Had medical insurance reforms, including the Healthcare Reform in Hawaii, not been passed, the projected number of uninsured people in the US would increase by 30%, a minimum of 10% in each state. For 90% of states, the number of uncompensated care cases would double, and in over half the country, we would see medical insurance premiums double as well, while employer coverage decreased. These would prove to be an intolerable burden on families and businesses while putting the state government and taxpayers in a difficult situation.

The Hawaii Health Insurance Reform has expanded medical insurance coverage and reduced premiums for millions of Americans. It also promises to provide a security net to prevent coverage loss after the loss or changing of jobs. Small businesses will be able to afford quality group health insurance. The Healthcare Reform in Hawaii would stimulate the health insurance market to increase competition in order to lower costs.

Hawaii residents in all districts benefit as the Hawaii Health Insurance Reform:

• Creates a health insurance exchange to help 123,000 currently uninsured residents and 50,000 residents who only have non-group insurance, to obtain affordable coverage;
  
  
• Makes as many as 78,200 residents eligible for health insurance tax credits;
  
  
• Provides necessary preventative services to as many as 193,000 seniors under Medicare;
  
  
• Halves the size of the Medicare prescription coverage gap, helping as many as 34,300 seniors obtain brand name prescriptions;
  
  
• Alleviates the medical insurance premium burden on small businesses through tax credits. 

Hawaii Health Insurance Reform proposals that will come into effect in 2010 and 2011 will target families, seniors and small businesses and will address the financial difficulties they have obtaining health insurance.

Hawaii and other American states are about to witness historic change in the health care system in their country.