Health insurance reform in Washington state: New data from HHS

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this morning posted this detailed summary of some of the effects of the new federal health care law, from effects on senior citizens to small business to doctors.

From the agency:

• 811,000 residents who do not currently have insurance and 359,000 residents who have nongroup insurance could get affordable coverage through the health insurance exchange.
• 457,000 residents could qualify for premium tax credits to help them purchase health coverage.
• 897,000 seniors would receive free preventive services.
• 159,000 seniors would have their brand-name drug costs in the Medicare Part D “doughnut hole” halved.
• and 92,500 small businesses could be helped by a small business tax credit to make premiums more affordable.

The page has a lot more specifics...