Obamacare is saving money and saving lives

Please note: Due to a secret ProgressVA Team strategy meeting at an undisclosed location, we will not be sending out the Progressive Point tomorrow.

August 9, 2012

The Commonwealth Institute reports, "Expanding Medicaid coverage can save money, improve health and even cut death rates according to three recent studies summarized in a new report by The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis. 'Lost in the current debate to expand health insurance to over 400,000 Virginians is the reality that increased coverage can help contain costs, improve health status, and save lives,' said John McInerney, the Institute's Health Policy Director."

Progressive Point: Health care reform is about ensuring all Virginia families can see a doctor when they get sick, without worrying about a huge bill afterward. Virginia families deserve the same health security offered to every other state under Obamacare: knowing we can get medical attention when we need it, without worrying about if it will prevent us from putting food on the table. The only thing standing in the way is Bob McDonnell and his right-wing allies. 

Rejecting Obamacare benefits means more families struggling with bankruptcy thanks to a serious illness. Obamacare benefits will save money, improve health, and even cut death rates. Our families cannot afford the health and financial costs of Governor McDonnell denying coverage and putting his political ambitions first. Expanding health coverage to more children and adults means saving money, saving lives, and a stronger and healthier Virginia.

Get the Facts: via the Commonwealth Institute:

• "Previously uninsured people who gained coverage for three years saw a 48 percent decrease in health care costs per year versus people who had it for only one year.


• People with Medicaid coverage are 25 percent less likely to have an unpaid medical bill and 40 percent less likely to borrow money or fail to pay other bills because of medical debt.


• Three states that expanded Medicaid eligibility between 2000 and 2005 had a significant reduction in death rates than three neighboring states that did not expand eligibility."

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