WASHINGTON - When all of the components of the Affordable Care Act are implemented, Missouri families are expected to have more cash on hand.



The average Missouri household making less than $100,000 a year will save more than $2,000, according to estimates from Families USA, a health-advocacy group, and those earning $30,000 or less will see the biggest savings of more than $3,100. The savings will come from lower premiums, fewer out-of-pocket costs, lower health-care costs and tax credits.



Joan Bray, who chairs the board at the Consumers Council of Missouri, says families have struggled with medical expenses for too long.



"I think it's just been such a burden on families' budgets because so many of the people who haven't been covered by insurance are the ones who are working minimum-wage jobs and - several of them, perhaps - several jobs."



Opponents of federal health reform have argued it is unconstitutional because of the individual insurance mandate and that it will cost everyone more money. The law will be fully implemented by 2014.



While the report is good news for those who have insurance and those currently uninsured, says Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., opponents continue to fight health reform.



"We are committed to doing everything we can here in Congress to fight off all of the attempts that are being made to either defund or rescind the most significant piece of legislation since Medicare and Social Security."



The fight continues at the U.S. Supreme Court, where the justices could decide next month whether to review the law, then determine if the individual mandate is constitutional.



The report is online at familiesusa2.org.