American Rescue Plan and Coverage
Winter is normally a quiet time of the year when it comes to health insurance, but not this year. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) became law, which means help for many Americans who struggle to afford coverage. Here are a few of the stories they’ve shared.
- Unemployed worker in MA. A neighbor who lost her coverage when she lost her job opted for COBRA to stay enrolled in her former employer’s plan. She didn’t want to change providers during treatment for an illness, but she paid full price for the plan. ARP will now help to pay for her coverage.
- Sole proprietor in NY. An independent contractor who bought her coverage through Obamacare struggled with its cost. She didn’t qualify for a subsidy because of her income, and the health plan was excellent but expensive. ARP will now help to reduce the cost of her coverage.
- Uninsured adult in IL. One of 15 million Americans who was uninsured because he couldn’t afford coverage. He worked in the service industry, and he let his plan lapse when his income dropped during the pandemic. ARP will now help to get him covered again, especially given the special open enrollment through August 15.
ARP does lots of good things to increase the number of insured Americans and reduce the cost of health insurance. But it doesn’t make health care coverage easier for anyone, and we look forward to a future when it is. In the meantime, these consumers are Mastering Health Insurance.
Sources:
- HHS Fact Sheet: The American Rescue Plan: Reduces Health Care Costs, Expands Access to Insurance Coverage and Addresses Health Care Disparities (March 12, 2021)
- KFF: How the American Rescue Plan Act Affects Subsidies for Marketplace Shoppers and People Who Are Uninsured (March 25, 2021)
Photo: Chicago’s South Pond (Turtles arrived in March!)