The Remaining Uninsured [COUNTY NAME]

Signs of Promise 1.2 Millions Coloradans gained access to free annual wellness check 50,000 young adults statewide got health insurance, largely through parents

Coming Improvements Pre-existing conditions excluded as a reason for health insurance refusal Launch of Colorado’s Medicaid expansion expected to serve 190,000 Launch of Connect for Health Colorado, an insurance marketplace, with 500,000 estimated to benefit from tax subsidies

The Reality It was never a 100% Solution 26 million Americans anticipated to remain uninsured 390,000 Coloradans expected to remain uninsured [XXX] residents of XXXXX County with likely go without health insurance.

The Reality Who will remain uncovered? Undocumented residents Individuals newly eligible for Medicaid who fail to enroll Individuals who do not qualify for tax subsidies Individuals who qualify for tax subsidies but still cannot afford insurance Individuals who are ideologically opposed Individuals with affordable options and are eligible for tax subsidies but still fail to enroll

The Reality What are other barriers? Individuals who qualify for employer-sponsored health insurance only for themselves, and make too much money to receive tax subsidies for their families Individuals who have been in the country legally for less than five years and who are therefore ineligible for many federal subsidies Individuals with serious challenges, such as mental health issues, that preclude sound decision making around the topic

Remaining Need The leading cause of bankruptcy in America is unpaid medical bills. Colorado hospitals reported absorbing $1.7 billion in uncompensated care during 2011 While the reforms we are undertaking in Colorado are important steps in the right direction, they don’t address other key issues in our system including access to health care for many of our state’s rural and poor residents as well as health care costs

What we can do Safety net clinics in this community and communities just like this one across the state bridge these gaps for our community members as well as our local economies We must continue to find new and local solutions to cover the remaining 390,000 uninsured We need to spread the word, to keep everyone informed on this issue