The following is my Letter To The Editor, "Happy birthday health care reform law" which appeared in yesterday's 3/30/11 Tri-County Press.
------Original Message------
From: Richard Schwab
To: tricountypress@communitypress.com
ReplyTo: Richard Schwab
Subject: Letter To The Editor
Sent: Mar 24, 2011 12:06 PM
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act just celebrated its first birthday. There is still much to learn and understand about the benefits of the health care law (particularly since there has been so much misinformation launched against this significant health insurance reform legislation.)
The website http://www.healthcare.gov/ is an extraordinary resource for understanding and accessing the facts about the health care law.
The law demands transparency and accountability from the health insurance industry. For instance, new rules require insurers to pay out 80% - 85% of premium dollars on actual health care.
Young adults can now stay on their parents' plans until age 26.
The law provides a Patient's Bill of Rights for all Americans. Among other provisions, the Bill of Rights prevents some of the worst abuses of health insurance companies including cancelling coverage because you have a serious illness.
Children are now protected from being turned away by insurers because of a pre existing condition.
Seniors enrolled in Medicare receive prescription drug discounts and now can receive preventive care (i.e. mammograms, colonoscopies) for free.
Due to tax credits, the number of small businesses offering health insurance coverage is on the increase.
Individuals and small businesses historically have had to pay significantly more for health insurance than big businesses (which use their size to negotiate lower premiums.) In 2014, individuals and small businesses will be able to obtain lower rates by pooling their purchasing power through new state-based health insurance exchanges.
For more information about current and future benefits visit http://www.healthcare.gov/
Richard O. Schwab
Glendale
