Missouri needs a strong health insurance exchange

Missouri needs a strong health insurance exchange

Did you know that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the new health care law) calls for the creation of a competitive health insurance marketplace called an "exchange" in every state by 2014?

Some people disagree with the federal law, and I hope they will open minds and hearts to listen to all sides. Missouri lawmakers have the opportunity to create a strong, competitive market so that Missouri consumers and small businesses can be guaranteed health coverage with good benefits and affordable premiums - good for all of us!

Small businesses and sole proprietorships who buy health coverage directly from an insurance company or broker will have a chance to lower their rates!

Individuals and small businesses who have had unaffordable premium and deductible rates because of the age, health status, gender or occupation will now be able to get coverage - 39 million of us across the country!

my neighbor with a pre-existing condition has been denied health insurance coverage by insurance companies - and now she can buy coverage she can afford!

Missouri Health Insurance Exchange will help Individuals, families and small businesses get good health care coverage. A middle-class consumer (those who earn up to $88,000 for a family of four) will be eligible for tax credits to help pay for insurance premiums. The coverage we get in an exchange will have limits on our copayments, deductibles, and other out of pocket costs, protecting us from high medical bills. And the exchange will hold down premium costs and make sure that insurers cannot unreasonably increase premium every year.



A Missouri Health Insurance Exchange will build a strong market-based solution to our health care problems. An Exchange will create a competitive marketplace where Missouri small businesses and consumers can shop for quality health care plans. In the Exchange, we will have greater transparency, our premiums, deductibles and co-payments will be more affordable, and we will have accountability protections that guarantee coverage for ourselves and our employees, especially when we need it most.



Missourians need a strong, accountable Health Insurance Exchange to meet the unique needs of our residents and small businesses