Health Reform Information and Resources
On Sunday, March 21, 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Health Care for America Act. The passage of health insurance reform legislation represents a historic victory for the American people. These health insurance reforms put American families and small business owners—not the insurance companies—in control of their own health care. It makes health insurance affordable for middle class families reducing premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Millions of Americans will have access to affordable insurance choices through a new competitive health insurance market that keeps costs down. Medicare benefits include lower prescription drug costs for those in the ‘donut hole,’ improved care for chronic illnesses, free preventive care. Medicare solvency will be extended for another decade and no Medicare recipient will lose coverage through this plan. Small businesses will receive one of largest tax cuts for providing health care for their employees.
Insurance companies will be held accountable for keeping premiums down and will not be allowed to deny care or coverage for pre-existing conditions and will not be allowed to cancel coverage when you become sick. By passing this legislation, we curb double digit insurance premium increases—some as high as 60%, arbitrary loss of coverage, and huge increases in the national deficit. By reining in waste, fraud and abuse, paying for quality over quantity of care the CBO has determined that the deficit will be reduced by $143 billion over next ten years, and by $1.2 trillion more over the following decade.
Most importantly these reforms benefit you and your family and give you the power to make health care decisions according to your needs and your doctor’s advice. I encourage my constituents and all Nevadans to contact my office if you have questions about the health reforms and how they directly affect you and your family.
THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS TAKE EFFECT THIS YEAR:
IMMEDIATE BENEFITS FOR NEVADANS
NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHILDREN with pre-existing conditions.
EXTEND CHILD COVERAGE TO 26TH BIRTHDAY through parents’ insurance; our most uninsured group.
INTERIM COVERAGE IN HIGH-RISK POOL FOR THOSE WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS until The Exchange is available.
FREE PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER NEW PRIVATE PLANS—No co-payments or deductibles.
PROHIBITS INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM CANCELLING POLICIES OF PEOPLE WHO GET SICK.
CLOSES THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE—Immediate $250 rebate; next year, 50% discount on brand names; fully closed by 2020.
FREE PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER MEDICARE—No co-payments and deductibles for seniors.
HELP FOR EARLY RETIREES—Temporary coverage for ages 55-64.
BANS RESTRICTIVE ANNUAL LIMITS on coverage, for new plans.
BANS LIFETIME COVERAGE LIMITS.
ENSURING VALUE FOR PREMIUM PAYMENTS—Plans in individual and small group market must spend 80% of premiums on medical services, large group markets spend 85%.
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS—Investment to allow for doubling number of patients over 5 years.
MORE PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS—New investment in training.
ADDITIONAL AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICA SPECIFICS:
THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT'S NEW PATIENT'S BILL OF RIGHTS
BENEFITS OF REFORM FOR AMERICAN BUSINESSES
NEVADA CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ONE HEALTH CARE REFORM BENEFITS
CONSUMER PROTECTIONS AND INFORMATION
MEDICARE IMPROVEMENTS FOR SENIORS
TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL BENEFITS