CONTACT:
Jen Bersdale, Missouri Health Care for All
(314) 651-6568 cell; jen@mohealthcareforall.orG
Advocates of access to affordable health care, led by Missouri Health Care for All and partner organizations, plan to hold rallies and press conferences statewide on the day the United States Supreme Court releases its decision in King v. Burwell.
In King v. Burwell, the Court will rule on the question of whether consumers in states with federally-facilitated Health Insurance Marketplaces, including Missouri, can qualify for the health insurance discounts provide through the Affordable Care Act. A ruling is expected before the end of June.
The Court’s decision will have a significant impact on access to affordable health insurance in Missouri. As of earlier this year, about 7.5 million Americans had signed up for discounted Marketplace insurance through Federally-facilitated Marketplaces. In Missouri, more than 217,000 people have enrolled in discounted plans. Without the discounts, many of these Missourians will be unable to afford their premiums. A study by the RAND Corporation found that as many as 70% of those receiving discounts – nearly 152,000 Missourians – would lose their insurance if they lost their discounts.
In fact, the loss of discounts in 34 states could have a devastating effect on private insurance for everyone. Without the discounts, many healthy people would likely drop their insurance. As a result, the insurance pool would be made up of mostly people with health conditions, making insurance more expensive for everyone. The RAND Corporation estimates that everyone’s insurance rates could eventually rise 47 percent if the subsidies are no longer available.
Jen Bersdale, Executive Director of Missouri Health Care for All, says, “The health insurance discounts available to consumers with qualifying incomes have finally made health insurance affordable for millions of Americans who had gone without coverage for years. We are watching this case with great concern for the people who would once again become uninsured if the discounts are no longer available in Missouri and other states.”
Because of the tremendous impact of the ruling, Missouri Health Care for All and partners are holding rallies and press conferences across the state the day the decision is released – regardless of what the decision is – to help media and supporters understand what the ruling means, who it affects, and what Missouri advocates will do next to protect and expand access to quality, affordable health insurance.
Missouri Health Care for All staff and leaders are also be available for media interviews about the impact of the decision on Missourians. We can also help connect reporters with local consumers currently receiving health insurance discounts.
What: Rallies and Press Conferences in response to King v. Burwell decision
Date: Day the Supreme Court releases its decision in King v. Burwell
Time: 5:30 pm
Where: Locations across the state, including:
- Columbia: TBA
- Festus: Disability Resource Association, 130 Brandon Wallace Way, Festus, MO 63028
- Joplin: Joplin Community Clinic, 701 S Joplin Ave, Joplin, MO 64801
- Kansas City: Amethyst Place, 2732 Troost Ave # A, Kansas City, MO 64109
- Springfield: First Unitarian Universalist Church, 2434 E Battlefield, Springfield, MO 65804
- St. Louis: Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108
- West Plains: TBA
Who: Speakers will vary by location. Speakers will include representatives of Missouri Health Care for All, other advocacy organizations, health insurance enrollment counselors, impacted consumers, community activists and faith leaders.
