The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation released a report today – on the eve of arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court to decide the fate of the Affordable Care Act – that forecasts severe consequences for health coverage and funding for Massachusetts if the ACA is overturned in its entirety.
The report, a collaboration between the Foundation and its research partner, Urban Institute, estimates that as many as 422,000 Massachusetts residents would lose health insurance coverage, more than doubling the number of uninsured people, if the California v. Texas case overturns the historic health care law that was passed in 2010. The report also anticipates Massachusetts would lose $3.3 billion in federal health care spending that supports the state’s Medicaid program along with tax credits that help individuals afford insurance coverage.
“A Supreme Court decision that overturns the ACA would be a devastating setback in Massachusetts, which was a pioneer in achieving near-universal coverage and served as the model for the groundbreaking national health care law,” said Audrey Shelto, president of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation.
Massachusetts passed its health care reform law in 2006, securing federal funding to support the development of a subsidized coverage program that helped the Commonwealth achieve the nation’s highest health insurance rate in just a few years. Today, only 4.4 percent of Massachusetts residents under age 65 lack health insurance, according to the report. If the Supreme Court overturns the Affordable Care Act, the report’s analysis shows 12 percent of Commonwealth residents under age 65 could lack coverage – an even higher rate than before the state passed its landmark 2006 law.
“Since Massachusetts was a trailblazer in expanding health care coverage, people may be under the false impression that our gains would withstand the repeal of the Affordable Care Act,” Shelto said. “Our findings demonstrate how the California v. Texas case has the potential to undermine over a decade’s worth of progress.”
The full report can be found online at: https://bluecrossmafoundation.org/publication/impacts-aca-repeal
About the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation
The mission of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation is to expand access to health care for low-income and vulnerable individuals and families in the Commonwealth. The Foundation was founded in 2001 with an initial endowment from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. It operates separately from the company and is governed by its own Board of Directors.
About the Urban Institute
The nonprofit Urban Institute is a leading research organization dedicated to developing evidence-based insights that improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. For 50 years, Urban has been the trusted source for rigorous analysis of complex social and economic issues; strategic advice to policymakers, philanthropists, and practitioners; and new, promising ideas that expand opportunities for all. Urban’s work inspires effective decisions that advance fairness and enhance the well-being of people and places.
###
