Name: Laura Elaine Mick

Location: Manchester, New Hampshire

Job Title: Legal Assistant / Water tester

Yearly Salary:
$13,000-$14,000 a year

Currently paying for individual premiums per month:

Paying $100/month through the New Hampshire Health Plan

Laura is already receiving a state subsidized plan

She has been denied commercial coverage because of a pre-existing conditions

Level of deductibles or co-pays:
Unknown

How does her current plan compare to the House proposal?
Laura will probably qualify for Medicaid coverage under the House proposal, because she is currently just under 133% of the poverty line, and a single working adult. Single working childless adults do not qualify for Medicaid in most states. Under the House plan she would qualify. She would not have to pay the $100/month. If she eventually has more income, she will also be able to buy commercial coverage, and not face rejection based on pre-existing conditions, nor face any higher premiums because of those conditions.

How does her current plan compare to the Senate proposal?
Under the Senate HELP proposal, Laura will not qualify for Medicaid, but she would be able to buy subsidized coverage through the Exchange. At her income level, she would not be expected to pay any monthly premium, and only have to pay up to $870 a year in out-of-pocket costs. And, like the House bill, if she increased her income and wanted to buy through the commercial market, she could not be rejected because of her pre-existing conditions, nor could she be charged a higher premium.

Both the House and the Senate bill provide Laura with coverage that requires no premium payments, but the coverage through the House would be slightly better based on access to Medicaid coverage.