Unless
you live under the proverbial health policy rock, you know that today the
Supreme Court will hear arguments on King v. Burwell (a brief history is here). If the SCOTUS
strikes down the subsidies provided in federally run exchanges, the impact will
be significant:
- Approximately 7.2 million with insurance losing access to subsidized premiums; in other words, about 87% of those who obtained insurance via the exchanges
- Substantial increase in the number of uninsured (due to the loss of subsidies, it is anticipated many would not be able to afford the full premium)
- Premiums (in the non-group market) would increase substantially, upwards of 35%
These
changes have the potential to impact rural residents to a greater degree.
Rural residents have, on average:
- lower incomes
- reduced access to employer sponsored coverage
- more likely to live in a non-Medicaid expansion state
- have fewer enrollment options (plan and/or network choices) and higher premiums within the exchanges
If
these subsidies are removed, it will further distance rural residents from the
rest of the country in regards to insurance coverage, access to care, and
equity in treatment.
