Basic Health Roundtable

Exchange RFI
Request for Information Regarding State Flexibility To Establish a Basic Health Program Under the Affordable Care Act. 

This notice is a request for information regarding section 1331 of the Affordable Care Act, which provides States with the option to establish a Basic Health Program. This option permits States to enter into contracts to offer one or more ‘‘standard health plans’’ providing at least the essential health benefits described in section 1302(b) of the Affordable Care Act to eligible individuals in lieu of offering such individuals coverage through the Affordable Insurance Exchange (Exchange).

Links: RFI | ACAP's Response

New Urban Institute Report Shows Basic Health Program Could Dramatically Lower Premiums, Out-of-Pocket Costs for People with Low Incomes, Reduce Uninsured by 600,000

A new report from the Urban Institute commissioned by ACAP suggests that the Basic Health Program (BHP), an option for states created by the Affordable Care Act that would provide coverage to low-income Americans, could make health care more affordable for more than 5 million Americans and reduce the ranks of the uninsured by an additional 600,000 if this little-known feature of health reform were to be implemented by all states.

Under the Basic Health Program, states could provide health coverage to people with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level who do not qualify for coverage through Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The state would contract with health plans or providers to provide coverage in lieu of offering them subsidized coverage through health insurance Exchanges. States implementing BHP would receive 95 percent of their estimated tax credits and subsidies for the Exchange from the Federal government.

Full report (PDF) | Presentation | Audio Recording | Press statement