DC Health Link highlights coverage gains, warns funding limits put Health Care for Child Care on wait list

The Committee on Health heard Jan. 29 from DC Health Link (HBX) and dozens of community witnesses about FY24 performance, outreach work during the Medicaid redetermination period, and the future of a program that provides subsidized health insurance to early childhood educators.

HBX Executive Director Mila Kauffman told the council HBX ‘‘ranks number 2 in the nation for the lowest uninsured rate’’ and that ‘‘more than 97% of residents have coverage.’’ Kauffman said the exchange helped nearly 100,000 people obtain private coverage and administers premium tax‑credit calculations that lower monthly costs for thousands of residents, adding: ‘‘If Congress takes [the IRA changes] away, expect huge premium hikes and millions of people to lose their health insurance coverage.’’

The hearing focused heavily on Health Care for Child Care, a program created under the District’s Pay Equity Fund that gives early educators access to either group plans purchased by employers or individual plans with subsidies. Witnesses representing child care providers, advocacy groups and business associations said the program has improved retention, reduced financial stress for educators and allowed small programs to continue offering services.

Anne Gunderson of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute told the committee that before HBX instituted a wait list, ‘‘the Health Exchange enrolled 79% of eligible child care facilities in Health Care for Child Care’’ but that a shortfall in funding has left ‘‘almost 60 facilities across the…