With Republicans in Congress targeting Obamacare, President Barack Obama’s administration released numbers today talking up the Affordable Care Act.

According to a press release, 84,629 or 94 percent of Hawaii’s uninsured residents may either qualify for tax credits to buy insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace or for Medicaid. That’s assuming Hawaii opts to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. A marketplace that allows people to shop for insurance opens on Oct. 1.

In addition, the release said, 6,000 young adults in Hawaii have been able to get coverage under a provision that allows them to get coverage through their parent’s plans.

Insurers under Obamacare can no longer deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. The release said 68,664 children in Hawaii have a pre-existing condition. 

Other aspects of health care reform require health insurance companies to spend 80 percent of premiums on health care, justify rate increases, and bar lifetime dollar limits on health benefits.

— Kery Murakami