There was a new health care law transferred. This was about six months ago. September 23 is when many people can start to take advantage of the new U.S. health care program. Many of the more controversial parts of health care reform do not start for a few more years. Thursday will be when coverage will start for even people with pre-existing conditions. The anti-health care ideas the Republicans have spread are becoming more common. President Obama defended the health care reform law quite a bit though. The Health care reform law is something many Americans wanted until it actually is beginning to kick in.
Health care reform will not help most Americans until 2011
Until next year, most Americans will not actually be receiving any of the benefits that come from Health care reform. After September 23, changes will happen automatically for new health care plans, says the Wall Street Journal. Employed individuals who get health insurance as a job benefit won’t see any changes until their plans renew during open enrollment — typically Jan. 1. Any person who can’t afford health insurance will benefit as changes on September 23 bridge the United States of America until every little thing changes in 2014. At that time, most Americans could be required to have health insurance or else be fined.
Health insurance changes going into effect
Key changes that go into the works for new health plans started after Sept. 23 involved the following, courtesy of CNN:
Children under age 19 can no longer be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions. The exact same goes for adults in 2014.
Insurance corporations can no longer drop a consumer when they get sick or look for mistakes on their application for the purpose to deny payment when they get sick.
Preventive care such as physicals, mammograms and colonoscopies no longer require a co-payment or deductible.
Insurance companies can no longer impose lifetime dollar limits on essential benefits, such as lifesaving treatments.
Patients no longer need to get prior authorization from their insurance business or a doctor’s referral to see a pediatrician or OB/GYN.
Insurance companies must discontinue prior authorization for ER services. Plus, they can’t charge higher co-payments for out-of-network ER providers.
Insurance businesses cannot refuse a claim in appeal, and have to continue paying for treatment until the appeal is resolved.
Public opinion stopped by White House with answers
Health care reform has been a huge topic of controversy considering all the misinformation being spread by Republican campaigns. A recent Rasmussen poll counted 61 percent in favor of repealing the health care law. According to the Los Angeles Times, a new website has been created by the white house called whitehouse.gov/healthreform. The site is meant to fend of attacks coming from Republicans. The site presents stories from around the U.S. about how the law has benefited ordinary Americans. On Wednesday there was a meeting that Obama had with state insurance commissioners where the new provisions being changed on September 23 were discussed. He said:
“These things are intended not to have government more involved in health care. They’re designed for making sure that you’ve basic protections with your interactions with your insurance company, that you’re getting what you paid for, that you’ve some basic measures of protection.”
Discover more details on this subject
Wall Street Journal
online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100922-706473.html
CNN
money.cnn.com/2010/09/22/news/economy/health_reform_six_month_anniversary_package/index.htm
Los Angeles times
latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-new-health-benefits-20100923,,6153569.story
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