Health Care
Providing quality health care for their loved ones is one of the challenges American families face daily. Advancements in medicine mean that Americans are living longer than ever, and with those advancements comes a responsibility to maintain access to care. I believe that quality, affordable health care should be a right for every American and not just a privilege for the few.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was an important step towards accomplishing that goal. Already, young adults are able to stay on their parents’ health plan for longer and seniors across the country are saving on their prescription drug costs. Children with preexisting conditions have access to health plans, and access for adults with preexisting conditions will expand in 2014. Healthcare Exchanges will help individuals and families find affordable, quality plans to fit their needs, and small businesses offer healthcare for their employees. Significantly, health care costs have begun to drop in recent years, after decades of steady increase.
However, the law is imperfect. While I have and will continue to vote against repealing the Affordable Care Act, we need to take a serious look at reforming the Affordable Care Act and take steps to further reduce our long term health care costs. We must address these long term challenges to ensure that a strong healthcare system will provide quality and affordable care for generations to come.
Affordable Care Act Implementation
For more information on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, visit www.healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596.
Maryland residents can sign up for a health benefit exchange at Marylandhbe.com .
Small business owners can use the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), which simplifies the process of buying health insurance for small business, and has information on the small business health care tax credit. Small business questions can also be answered at 1-800-706-7893.
Our office is also happy to assist you with ACA implementation questions. Please contact our office at 301-926-0300 or 202-225-2721.
More on Health Care
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded grants to three health care facilities in Western Maryland. The Tri-State Community Health Center in Hancock was awarded $231,686; the Walnut Street Community Health Center in Hagerstown was awarded $210,088; and the Western Maryland Health Care Corporation in Oakland was awarded $197,032.
All three are Health and Resources Services Administration (HRSA) grants, which are intended to improve and expand health care services for underserved people.
WASHINGTON – Thursday the House passed The Jobs for America Act (H.R.4), legislation that includes multiple bills and is designed to reduce taxes, regulations, and unfunded mandates. The Jobs for America Act also encourages small business growth, research and development, and the hiring of more veterans. The bill reforms the Affordable Care Act to prevent unintended consequences that lead to more workers becoming part-time and forbids state and local governments from taxing internet access.
WASHINGTON – Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) has written to the President, Speaker of the House John Boehner and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi concerning the Ebola outbreak in Africa. In response to the increased risk of a major outbreak, Rep. Delaney argued that “controlling this outbreak before the virus becomes airborne should be our top priority” and that “it is critical that the United States make every effort to get ahead of this crisis, not play catch up.
WASHINGTON - July 30, 2014, marks the 49th anniversary of the establishment of Medicare, our nation’s largest provider of health care coverage for Americans 65 and older.
Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) releases the following statement:
WASHINGTON – This week, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a new analysis of the effects of the Affordable Care Act. In their latest report, the CBO anticipates a vast expansion of health insurance coverage in the United States due to the Affordable Care Act.
WASHINGTON – Maryland announced today that the state will replace the Maryland Health Connection with technology from Connecticut’s insurance marketplace. Dating to last year, Rep. John K. Delaney (MD-6) urged the state to abandon the failing Maryland exchange and provide Marylanders with an option that works. Beginning in January Delaney began formally inquiring with the state, urging them to move to a working platform.
WASHINGTON - Late Friday it was reported that Maryland will announce soon that the state is replacing the Maryland Health Connection with technology from Connecticut’s exchange.
For months, Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) has urged the state to abandon the troubled exchange.
Congressman Delaney releases the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Reports emerged Friday that Maryland is expected to abandon its own state health insurance exchange and will adopt Connecticut’s system. Since December, Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) has recommended that Maryland switch to the federal exchange at healthcare.gov on either a permanent or temporary basis.
WASHINGTON – A new report by Gallup shows that the U.S. uninsured rate among adults has fallen to 15.9%, the lowest level since 2008. According to Gallup, “the uninsured rate for almost every major demographic group has dropped in 2014 so far.” Gallup also concludes, “With the open enrollment period scheduled to close on March 31, the uninsured rate in the U.S. will likely continue to fall.”
For more information on the Gallup report, click here.
WASHINGTON - On Friday, March 7, the Maryland House Health and Government Operations Committee considered HB 1229, legislation by Delegate Michael Hough (District 3B). The legislation transfers state exchange user accounts to the federal exchange at Healthcare.gov. Since December, Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) has been critical of the state’s troubled website and has suggested the state switch to the federal exchange.
Congressman Delaney submitted the following letter to the Health and Government Operations Committee: