New York state is facing a healthcare crisis as hundreds of thousands of families may soon lose their health insurance due to funding cuts. The state’s Essential Plan, which provides low-cost health coverage to over 1.6 million people, is funded in part by federal dollars. However, the federal budget has been cut, and as a result, 450,000 people on the Essential Plan have been notified that their coverage will end this summer.
These individuals, including freelancer Mike Walsh, will be left without affordable healthcare options. Walsh, who works multiple part-time jobs, relies on the Essential Plan for his medical needs, including low co-pays and access to medication. Without it, he fears he will struggle to make ends meet and prioritize his health. The loss of the Essential Plan will not only affect those who received letters but also over 700,000 families in the Tri-State area who purchased insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace and are facing expiring premium credits.
According to Dr. Donald Morrish, CEO of Episcopal Health Services, the loss of the Essential Plan will lead to more people delaying care and relying on emergency rooms, which is more expensive and inefficient. This, in turn, will result in higher costs for both patients and hospitals. Dr. Morrish predicts that the healthcare system, including hospitals and healthcare workers, will be severely impacted by the increase in insurance premiums and the loss of healthcare coverage.
The state is seeking to reorganize the Essential Plan, which may result in most enrollees being transitioned to a “basic” plan. However, the 450,000 New Yorkers who received letters will lose their insurance due to their incomes not meeting federal poverty level guidelines. As the situation unfolds, individuals like Mike Walsh are left with uncertainty and anxiety about their future healthcare options. The state’s request for reorganization is pending, and the outcome will have a significant impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of New York residents.