The Bottom Line: How the Affordable Care Act Helps America's Families
Families USA, October 2011

Key Findings

Health Reform: A Boon to Families and the Economy

• On average, each household in the United States will be $1,571 better off in 2019 due to the provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
• Households with income of less than $100,000 will receive the greatest financial benefit.

• Households with income under $30,000 will be $3,384 better off.
• Households with income between $30,000 and $50,000 will be $1,907 better off.
• Households with income between $50,000 and $100,000 will be $1,027 better off.

Health Reform Means Lower Premiums and Help with the Cost of Coverage

• The Affordable Care Act will make health coverage more affordable for American families in two ways: by helping to stem the rise in health insurance premiums, and by extending help with the cost of coverage to lower- and middle-income families. These provisions will help both those with coverage today and those who are uninsured.
• Under health reform, previously insured families will pay an average of $717 less in premiums in 2019.
• Previously insured lower- and middle-income households will benefit from the greatest reductions in premiums.

• Households with income under $30,000 will pay $1,006 less in premiums.
• Households with income between $30,000 and $50,000 will pay $903 less in premiums.
• Households with income between $50,000 and $100,000 will pay $715 less in premiums.

• Previously uninsured lower- and middle-income households will receive substantial help with the cost of health coverage.

• Households with income under $30,000 will receive an average of $4,642 in help with the cost of health coverage.
• Households with income between $30,000 and $50,000 will receive an average of $3,885 in help with the cost of health coverage.
• Households with income between $50,000 and $100,000 will receive an average of $2,333 in help with the cost of health coverage.

Health Reform Means Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs

• On average, households in the United States will spend $207 less out of pocket under the Affordable Care Act in 2019 than they would have without reform.
• Lower- and middle-income households will benefit from the greatest reductions in out-of-pocket spending.

• Households with income under $30,000 will spend an average of $319 less out of pocket on health care.
• Households with income between $30,000 and $50,000 will spend an average of $308 less on out-of-pocket costs.
• Households with income between $50,000 and $100,000 will spend an average of $146 less on out-of-pocket costs.