Bill Overview
Title: Family Plus Health Care Act of 2022
Description: This bill extends coverage under private health insurance to enrollees' parents who are not eligible for separate coverage under Medicare or Medicaid. Specifically, private health insurers that offer dependent coverage of enrollees' children must also offer coverage of enrollees' parents, at an enrollee's option, if such parents are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid. The bill also provides for the treatment of such parents as dependents for related tax purposes.
Sponsors: Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24]
Target Audience
Population: Parents not eligible for separate coverage under Medicare or Medicaid
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The global population potentially impacted by this bill includes parents who are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid.
- Health insurance typically varies by country, and the specifics of eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid indicate that this bill primarily pertains to the United States.
- Within the U.S., those most directly impacted are parents of individuals who have private health insurance that already covers children and whose parents are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid.
Reasoning
- To create a realistic simulation of how the Family Plus Health Care Act of 2022 might affect individuals, we must consider the demographics of those likely to benefit. This includes parents of enrollees in private health insurance who are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid.
- The program's reach is limited by the budget constraints and will not be able to cover all of the estimated 1 million target population in the first year. Hence, the reasoning assumes a phased approach of impact.
- Responses should reflect a diversity of perspectives, including those unaffected by the policy, those for whom the policy could bring moderate benefits, and those expecting significant improvement in their family's coverage situation.
Simulated Interviews
Software Developer (Austin, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's tough supporting my parent with their healthcare needs. This policy could lighten the burden if it covers some of her medication and check-ups.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Health Insurance Broker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It could really help us as I won't have to worry as much about my parents' unexpected health expenses. It seems like a beneficial step.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy doesn't really change anything for us since my parents are already covered under another plan.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Construction Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could significantly ease the stress of managing my parents' healthcare needs as they age and encounter more issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Freelancer (Denver, CO)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't think this policy will apply to me since my parent lives overseas and wouldn't be eligible.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Lawyer (New York, NY)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having my mother covered would mean not having to worry about big bills and focus on her health without the financial stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retail Manager (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My dad's covered by Medicaid, so this policy doesn't impact us too much.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Entrepreneur (Seattle, WA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could save me quite a bit. Covering my mom means I can redirect those funds into my small business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Graduate Student (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If it means my dad can join my plan, it would be amazing. We can barely cover his medications right now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Accountant (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I wonder how this policy might affect those like my husband, who isn't quite old enough for Medicare yet.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $7500000000 (Low: $6000000000, High: $9000000000)
Year 2: $8000000000 (Low: $6400000000, High: $9600000000)
Year 3: $8500000000 (Low: $6800000000, High: $10200000000)
Year 5: $9500000000 (Low: $7600000000, High: $11400000000)
Year 10: $12000000000 (Low: $9600000000, High: $14400000000)
Year 100: $15000000000 (Low: $12000000000, High: $18000000000)
Key Considerations
- There is a socio-economic benefit in extending coverage, which might alleviate some medical bankruptcies and related issues.
- Monitoring program enrollment levels is crucial to track costs as estimates rely heavily on projected uptake rates.
- Consider coupling this with transparency in premium adjustments for private insurance holders to ensure fair cost distribution.