6 months ago the health care law passed. On September 23, several changes within the U.S. healthcare system start going into effect. Things that are still being debated in the health care reform won’t be beginning for a few years still. But key reforms such as coverage despite pre-existing conditions begin Thursday. Republicans are working hard on anti-health care reform. They have increased in numbers. President Obama has responded with his own vigorous defense of the new health care law. More Americans are starting to disapprove of the health care law as it begins, although Americans wanted the law as it was being voted upon.
Healthcare reform won’t help most Americans until 2011
Health care reform will start for many soon. Of course, most Americans will see the healthcare reform bill in their lives until next year. The Wall Street Journal reports the changes kick in right away for new health plans began on or after Sept. 23. Until plans renew for employees with work health insurance right now as a job benefit, around January 1, changes won’t be seen. In 2014, all subsidies for the poor who cannot afford health insurance will start. The U.S. is making changes on September 23 to bridge us to that point. At that time, most Americans could be required to have health insurance or else be fined.
Beginning up some health insurance
Key changes that go into effect 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 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 company or a doctor’s referral to see a pediatrician or OB/GYN.
Insurance corporations must discontinue prior authorization for ER services. Plus, they cannot charge higher co-payments for out-of-network ER providers.
Insurance businesses can’t refuse a claim in appeal, and have to continue paying for treatment until the appeal is resolved.
White House thinks public misconceptions have to be dealt with
Health care reform has been a huge topic of controversy considering all the misinformation being spread by Republican campaigns. 61 percent wanted the new law to be repealed, states a Rasmussen poll taken recently. Whitehouse.gov/healthreform was a site created by the White House for making Republican attacks less harsh, states the Los Angeles Times. Showing the regulation is really making a difference is the hope of the site. It is shown by having ordinary Americans show their stories. 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 designed not to have government more involved in health care. They’re intended to make sure that you’ve basic protections with your interactions with your insurance company, that you’re getting what you paid for, that you have some basic measures of protection.”
Additional reading
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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