Politics & Government
40,262 Enroll in Obamacare
Report: 77 percent of NH enrollees receive financial assistance.
The government says 40,262 New Hampshire residents have enrolled in a marketplace health insurance plan under the Affordable Care Act, aka "Obamacare."
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported the numbers May 1, part of the more than 8 million Americans to have enrolled between Oct. 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014, including those "waiting in line" at the end of the initial enrollment period.
Of the New Hampshire enrollees, 30,920, or 77 percent, have some level of financial assistance, according to Health and Human Services.
Other breakout data sets on individuals selecting which type of "metal" plan:
- Silver: 23,641, or 50 percent
- Bronze: 10,594, or 26 percent
- Gold: 5,481, or 14 percent
- Under 18: 2,139, or 5 percent
- 18-25: 3,787, 9 percent
- 26-34: 6,976, or 17 percent
- 35-44: 9,230, or 15 percent
- 45-54: 9,230, or 23 percent
- 55-64: 12,003, or 30 percent
- 65 and older: 61.
Health and Human Services found that 2.2 million Americans between 18 and 34 enrolled in a plan.
The Affordable Care Act remains a political hot potato in New Hampshire, as Republicans looking to upset Democratic incumbents incorporate the issue into their campaigns.
U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, a Democrat representing New Hampshire's 1st District, issued a statement saying the Affordable Care Act had "turned a corner" in the state.
"The rollout was rocky, and I made my frustration well known, but it’s great news that 40,262 Granite Staters and over 8 million people nationwide have signed up for private health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplaces," Shea-Porter said. "Today’s announcement, combined with recent passage of a bipartisan plan to expand Medicaid to 50,000 Granite State citizens and news that two additional insurers plan to offer coverage on New Hampshire’s Marketplace next year, demonstrate the progress our state has made so far."
"I've heard from constituents, both Republicans and Democrats, about how the Affordable Care Act has helped them and their families," Shea-Porter continued. "There are still challenges, but today’s news is confirmation that access to affordable healthcare has improved for New Hampshire families."
Find out what's happening in Nashuawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Former U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta, a Republican who is running again in the 1st District, has faulted Obamacare for forcing people off their old health plans and he says it will hurt businesses.
"We need to move immediately to repeal this legislation and put in place reforms that will cover more Americans without destroying the middle-class and the businesses that sustain them," Guinta said last month.
Find out what's happening in Nashuawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
And Hougesen cited departing Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' statement that people are not fully enrolled in the Affordable Care Act until they pay their premium. Hougesen, in an NRSC statement, responded:
"For years, Jeanne Shaheen has made one misleading claim after another about ObamaCare. It's becoming clear that Jeanne Shaheen’s liberal friends in Washington and at the Obama White House continue to mislead voters to this very day. These numbers serve as the latest reminder that Jeanne Shaheen can’t be trusted to be honest with Granite Staters about ObamaCare, the economy, or other key issues."
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