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County officials warn federal budget standoff could raise premiums and shrink coverage; state action preserves vaccine access
Summary
Presenters told the Health and Hospital Committee the pending federal budget fight, including cuts in HR 1 and a likely shutdown, could sharply raise health insurance premiums and reduce coverage. County and state actions aim to blunt vaccine access disruptions after confusing federal vaccine guidance.
Santa Clara County health staff told the Health and Hospital Committee that a likely federal budget showdown and provisions in HR 1 could sharply raise premiums for people who buy insurance on the health exchanges and increase the number of uninsured. “The biggest issue before the congress and really the only issue before the congress right now is the prospect of a government shutdown next week,” policy consultant Bert Margolin said during the committee’s presentation.
Why it matters: committee members were warned that two federal actions in particular — proposed Medicaid reductions in HR 1 and expiration of enhanced premium tax credits — would have immediate and widespread effects on county health systems and patients. “More than 20,000,000 Americans will face these higher premiums next year,” Margolin said, citing analyses of the…
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