Under the ACA, the number of uninsured people in NH has almost been cut in half

HEALTHCARE

Enrollment on the health insurance marketplace is open to all New Hampshire residents until Dec. 15, and coverage becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2021.

The accomplishments of Obamacare in our state cannot be overstated: More than 45,000 New Hampshire residents now have comprehensive coverage. All told, we have almost cut the number of uninsured in our state in half in just three years, and we now have one of the lowest levels of uninsured citizens in the nation, according to The New York Times.

That means peace of mind to working families, and huge savings in terms of uncompensated care to our hospitals. And, in this uncertain time of crisis and pandemic, we have given our state the peace of mind of good healthcare. For that reason alone, it was good to hear the Supreme Court seem dismissive of the unfounded case against the law.

Obamacare has made healthcare more affordable and attainable to tens of thousands in our state by increasing the number of carriers in our market and boosting the amount of options and plans.

But New Hampshire faces other issues that impact our healthcare market. We have one of the fastest aging populations in the nation, and that is very expensive for our healthcare system.

It is no secret that New Hampshire’s healthcare system is expensive, with costs being well above the national average.

While hospitals have begun to consolidate costs, merge and benefit from a huge reduction in uncompensated care — it will take time to bring costs down.

Fortunately, efforts like the healthcare price transparency website NH Health- Cost from the NH Insurance Department have helped to make us all better consumers. We can now be more aware of costs and results. And our website at CoveringNewHampshire.org helps Granite State residents and small businesses learn more about health coverage options under the federal marketplace.

Today, we see residents who were previously uninsured, some with expensive chronic ailments that were left uncared for, who are now healthier because they can afford the medical treatments and medications they need. Expanding coverage to the uninsured lowers what many have referred to as the “hidden tax.” Businesses that offer insurance to their employees and those who buy individual insurance plans have paid higher premiums for years to cover the unpaid expenses of those who were uninsured and couldn’t afford the medical bills.

With the vast majority of New Hampshire residents covered by comprehensive plans today, people are getting better care, going to the doctor instead of the emergency room, and fewer people are struggling to pay mounting unpaid bills for vital medical services.

Jayme H. Simões of Covering New Hampshire lives in Concord.