Even though the standard meme from the critics is that nothing starts for 3 or 4 years.. Here are the things that start NOW.
It establishes the toughest patient protections in history.
It guarantees all Americans affordable health insurance options, extending coverage to 32 million who are currently uninsured.
And it reduces the cost of care -- cutting over 1 trillion dollars from the federal deficit over the next two decades.
To ensure a successful, stable transition, many of these changes will phase into full effect over the next several years.
But for millions of Americans, many of the benefits of reform will begin this year -- some even taking effect this afternoon. Here are just a few examples:
Small businesses will receive significant tax cuts, this year, to help them afford health coverage for all their employees.
Seniors will receive a rebate to reduce drug costs not yet covered under Medicare.
Young people will be allowed coverage under their parents' plan until the age of 26.
Early retirees will receive help to reduce premium costs.
Children will be protected against discrimination on the basis of medical history.
Uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions can join a special high-risk pool to get the coverage they need, starting in just 90 days.
Insured Americans will be protected from seeing their insurance revoked when they get sick, or facing restrictive annual limits on the care they receive.
All Americans will benefit from significant new investments to train primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals, and the creation of state-level consumer assistance programs to help all patients understand and defend our new rights.
Yes, there are some things that will not go into effect for a while.. they say a few years but it maybe earlier if all works well.... But there are some very good benefits that start now.
For a lot of us this is personal.
It hits home for us because of the Donut Hole being closed for Seniors and those of us on Medicare due to disability. This one is important for me, my mother, my uncle and others in my family.
It hits home for us because there are lots of people who don't have insurance due to Pre-Existing Conditions. This will stop very soon. It is personal to me because I have family members who can't get insurance because of this. Try having a serious disease and getting insurance after you lose a job, or have to stop working because of the disease.
And now you have a safety net... You can't lose your insurance if you become ill. What a wonderful feeling knowing you don't have to worry about losing your coverage.
I hope this helps people understand the benefits that will start NOW, not in 3 or 4 years... NOW.
Tell me that you don't care about any of these items and I will say you are not telling the truth.. All of this effects each of us in some way.
3 comments:
The truth is that this is a Big Government takeover led by a Communist president as part of a plot to make a Thrifty Working Class dependent on the Democrat Party.
Hey, Kids, don't forget the part where we start making people we've sent to the "death panel" into "Soylent Green"!
You two slay me! :) I love having smart, snarky, sarcastic blogpals. Well played, K. and Annette. And Annette, great post - just the facts, and when everything goes into effect! Nice job, and hooray for all of us on this momentous occasion!
Thanks MP... I couldn't resist answering as K did and in the same tone of voice.... Just too funny to resist.
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