Crunching The Numbers For Health-care Reform

THERE IS a lot of talk about the new health-care reform law. Here are highlights of the numbers involved:

32 million Number of people the bill will expand coverage to.

95% Estimate of U.S. citizens who would have coverage under the law.

83% Estimate of U.S. citizens who have coverage today.

$675 Estimated annual fine for people who don’t purchase insurance, starting in 2014. Exceptions apply to low-income individuals.

$940 billion Estimated cost of the law over the next 10 years.

$22,050 Current federal poverty level for a family of four. The bill will allow individuals and families who make between 100% and 400% of that level to be eligible for subsidies.

10% Tax on tanning bed usage.

2014 Year in which insurance companies will not be allowed to deny coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

26 Age a child can remain on parent’s insurance, if unable to attain insurance elsewhere.

For more information, visit www.whitehouse.gov/issues/health-care. It provides answers to common questions such as “Can I keep my doctor?” and “I’m a business owner…what does this mean for me?”