Hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents already have benefited from the health care law passed in 2009, according to the federal government. Some examples:
- More than 23,000 Michigan seniors and people with disabilities have saved $17.6 million this calendar year on prescription drugs because of the law, an average of $757 per person. The money goes to help residents with medical costs after they hit the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage gap, the so-called "doughnut hole."
- More than a half-million Michigan seniors have received a free preventive health care service so far this year.
- Around 1.8 million residents now receive preventative services with no co-pay.
- Around 57,000 more young adults in Michigan under the age of 26 are on their parents' health insurance plans.
- Around 7,000 small businesses get federal tax credits for offering health insurance to their employees.
- Six Michigan health centers have been awarded $3.7 million from the federal government to help expand access to care for 59,431 additional patients.
- Around 114,000 Michigan residents will get $13.9 million in rebates from insurance companies this summer because of a rule that requires insurance companies give rebates if they don't spend at least 80 percent of consumers' premiums on medical care and quality improvement. The rebates will average $214 for 65,000 Michigan families.
