Health Reform Quiz 201

The Kaiser Family Foundation has a neat Health Reform Quiz that has been circulating online, especially after the Supreme Court case refocused the nation’s attention on the Affordable Care Act.

I’ve been impressed at how many of my Facebook friends who don’t work in health care policy have taken the quiz, and shared it online. Many of them did well–some getting 10 of 10, which puts them ahead of 99% of the population in surveys. That’s troubling, since many of the questions are basic (although there are a few that might qualify as trick questions).

So I felt I wanted to challenge my friends with a slightly harder quiz. I’ll post the answers later in this week, but take a crack. If you spot an error or want to argue a point, E-mail me at awright@health-access.org.

1) Under the ACA in 2014 and beyond, legal residents will be able to get Medicaid coverage (if there state does the Medicaid expansion) up to what percentage of the poverty level ($11K for an individual, $22K for a family of four)
A) 100%  B) 133% C) 200% D) 400%

2) In the individual insurance market, people buying coverage will no longer be able to be denied or charged differently for pre-existing conditions or gender. Under the ACA in 2014, folks of different ages:
A) can’t be charged differently
B) can be charged differently up to 3 times
C) can be charged differently up to 5 times
d) can be charged differently with no limits

3) Regarding the Indian Health Service, the ACA:
A) merges it with the Veterans Administration
B) reauthorizes it for 5 years
C) reauthorizes it permanently

4) Regarding the State Child Health Insurance Program, which now covers many children from 100-200% of the poverty level, the ACA:
A) reauthorizes SCHIP
B) merges SCHIP with the Exchange, which is where children will get coverage
C) allows SCHIP to continue as is

5) Under the ACA, Members of Congress are:
A) exempt from the law, and continue to get special Congressional coverage
B) will get coverage like other federal employees
C) will get coverage through the Exchanges along with those who buy coverage as individuals

6) Early retirees without employer-based coverage will be able to:
A) Join Medicare early, at 55 years old
B) Get coverage in the Exchange regardless of pre-existing conditions and possibly with financial assistance
C) Get special exemption from consideration by the death panel

7)  Someone at 150% of the poverty level (around $33K for a family of four) will get coverage and have to pay as a premium:
A) no premium under Medicaid
B) up to 2% of their income, and tax credits/subsidies in the Exchange will make up the difference
B) $595/year, indexed for inflation.

8) On premium rate increases, insurers
A) are not allowed to raise rates more than 10% a year
B) must disclose and provide justifications for their rate increases
C) must get approval for any rate increases from the U.S. HHS Secretary

9) You are exempt from the individual requirement to buy coverage if:
A) You have low enough income you don’t file income taxes
B) You are part of certain religious groups
C) You would have to pay  more than 8% of your income
D) All of the above

10) As part of its effort to encourage prevention and wellness, the ACA:
A) taxes soda and sugar-sweetened beverages
B) requires menu labeling disclosing calories at fast food and chain restaurants
C) bans use of trans fats at fast food and chain restaurants
D) all of the above

11) BONUS: The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office scores that the Affordable Care Act will:
A) increase the deficit
B) decrease the deficit
C) have no impact on the deficit

Health Access California promotes quality, affordable health care for all Californians.