Cristy Li

The Family Glitch

(Washington Examiner) Nearly 2 Million Americans may be adversely affected by what’s been termed as the “Family Glitch” within ObamaCare according to a new study by the American Action Forum.

ObamaCare is supposed to offer MediCal/Medicaid coverage to anyone whose household income places them below 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL)–contingent on States agreeing to expand their programs. Those above 138% and up to 400% of FPL are eligible for tax subsidies to purchase insurance in ObamaCare exchanges assuming that no one in their family is offered  employer-sponsored health insurance–but under a recent ruling by the IRS is only required to offer health insurance to individuals.

The “Family Glitch” arises when one or both spouses are offered individual health insurance through her/his employer that is deemed to be “affordable” but their employers either do not offer family coverage or that health insurance coverage is not actually affordable.

Such families are unable to obtain federally subsidized health insurance because one or more of their family members was offered affordable employer coverage, so one faces the choice of either purchasing unaffordable coverage or go without health insurance–the study also forecasts the number affected by the “Family Glitch” will likely increase when the employer mandate goes into affect.

Related: 46% of Physicians Give ObamaCare a Grade “D” or “F”