August 19, 2008 - For immediate release:
Report Shows More Than 439,000 New Enrollees in Health Insurance Since Reform
Nearly Half of Newly Insured Covered by Private Insurance
BOSTON — The state’s Division of Health Care Finance and Policy (HCFP) today released a report showing that more than 439,000 people have enrolled in private or subsidized health insurance programs between the beginning of health reform in June 2006, and March 31, 2008. The growth in coverage was driven in part by a significant expansion in private coverage, which has grown by more than 191,000.
“To have insured nearly a half-million people in less than two years is nothing short of remarkable,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “The significant reduction in free care through the Health Safety Net provides further evidence that health care reform is having its intended effect.”
“These newest enrollment numbers show that the multi-pronged effort to insure people through the expansion of Medicaid, publicly subsidized insurance and the individual mandate is working,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. JudyAnn Bigby. “We appreciate the efforts of all parties but will need to ensure that we can sustain the effort going forward.”
The report also shows that care for the state’s remaining uninsured financed by the Health Safety Net—formerly known as the Uncompensated Care Pool—has decreased markedly as insurance enrollment has increased. The number of visits to hospitals and community health centers financed by the Health Safety Net declined by 37% in the first quarter of Health Safety Net fiscal year 2008, compared to the same period a year earlier. Health Safety Net payments decreased by 41% over the same period, from $166 million to $98 million.
“These new enrollment numbers show our continued hard work to implement the historic health care reform is undeniably working,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi. “We must stay vigilant to ensure that, as more people obtain insurance, our costs are controlled and quality remains among the highest in the world. With all those things working in the same direction, our efforts will continue to be a model for the rest of the country.”
“This report is good news and provides further evidence that health care reform is working in Massachusetts,” Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. “The latest enrollment numbers, including an increase in private group coverage and a drop in the free care pool, demonstrate that expansion and coverage are not being paid for solely by the state. Our public-private ‘shared responsibility’ is an effective partnership, and with the new cost-containment law passed this year, health care reform will move forward with even greater sustainability.”
The quarterly Key Indicators report reviews the progress of statewide efforts to expand health insurance coverage and features data reported by providers, health plans and state agencies, as well as collected through surveys of Massachusetts residents and employers. The report also includes information about cost trends in health insurance premiums compared to the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority’s new affordability schedule for 2008, and financial performance of health plans, hospitals and community health centers.
“This remarkable increase in health coverage for Massachusetts residents demonstrates irrefutably the continued success of health reform and shared responsibility,” said Lindsey Tucker of Health Care for All. “The dual findings of 439,000 newly insured and a 41% decrease in Healthy Safety Net payments confirms that people are moving out of emergency care and into coverage. We applaud the ongoing efforts of the administration to keep health reform moving forward.”
The full Key Indicators report is available online at: www.mass.gov/dhcfp.
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