525,000 Missourians could get health insurance aid

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A health care advocacy group says more than 525,000 Missouri residents could get federal subsidies for health insurance beginning in 2014.

A report released Thursday by Families USA says more than half the people eligible for the new subsidies will have incomes of two to four times the federal poverty level. That means a family of four could be eligible for aid while earning up to $94,200.

The insurance premium tax credits are available for people who purchase coverage through a new online insurance marketplace created under President Barack Obama's health care law. The tax credits go directly to the health plan, offsetting the cost of the premium.

Families USA supports the federal health care law and has issued similar reports about people eligible for the new tax credits in other states.