Healthcare

During my longstanding tenure in Congress, I have sought to improve the quality, affordability, and accessibility of healthcare for all Americans.

Under the leadership of President Barack Obama and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law on March 23, 2010. The enactment of the Affordable Care Act has shifted our health system from one that focuses on treating the sick to one that focuses on keeping people healthy.

Because of the Affordable Care Act, 76 million Americans with private health insurance gained preventive service coverage with no cost-sharing, including 4,695,000 in New York. And women can now get coverage without cost-sharing of even more preventive services they need.  Of the 76 million Americans with expanded access to free preventive services, 29.7 million are women, including 1,871,000 in New York receiving expanded preventive services without cost-sharing.

Open enrollment for 2016 coverage runs from November 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016.  Consumers should visit HealthCare.gov to see if they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period because of a life change like marriage, having a baby or losing other coverage.  Enrollment in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program is open year round. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released an updated State-by-State Facts Sheet of the Affordable Healthcare Act.

Here are some important facts about how the ACA has impacted New York:.

• 130,829 consumers in New York under the age of 35 are signed up for Marketplace coverage (32 percent of plan selections in the state). 

•  120,199 consumers 18 to 34 years of age (29 percent of all plan selections) are signed up for Marketplace coverage. 

  New York has received $575,079,804 in grants for research, planning, information technology development, and implementation of its Marketplace.

• 74 percent of New York consumers who were signed up qualified for a tax credit through the Marketplace. 

• An additional 569,023 of people in New York are now enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP as compared to before the Affordable Care Act enrollment began.

• Over 4.5 million young people who would otherwise have been uninsured have gained coverage nationwide; including 160,000 young adults up to age 26 in New York have gained coverage through their parents’ plan.

• As many as 8,616,234 non-elderly New Yorkers who have some type of pre-existing health condition, including 1,047,540 children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage due to their health status.

• 4,401,000 people with private insurance in New York have received access to free preventive services with no cost-sharing
• 6,432,000 people in New York, including 2,529,000 women and 1,609,000 children, are free from worrying about lifetime limits on coverage.
• In New York, people with Medicare have saved nearly $747,844,423 on prescription drugs because of the Affordable Care Act.

With significant changes to our healthcare system, we have been able to provide more coverage to those who are uninsured and better care to people throughout the United States.

Short Background on Healthcare Reform

Since 2010, many provisions stipulated in the ACA have gone into effect. These reforms include ensuring coverage to patients with pre-existing conditions; allowing young adults to remain on a parent's health insurance plan; ending lifetime limits on coverage; expanding Medicaid, establishing insurance Exchange, and instituting the minimum coverage provision.

Minimum Coverage Provisions: As of January 1, 2014, those individuals who are eligible have maintained their insurance, bought new plans, or paid a small penalty. People are able to opt out of the minimum coverage provisions if they qualify an exemption.  Most people will not directly be affected by the minimum coverage provision, because they already have employer-based coverage, public coverage, or other coverage that meets the minimum coverage requirement. 

Medicaid Expansion: Nearly all U.S. citizens under 65 with family incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level (31,322 for a family of four in 2014) qualifies for Medicaid after the recent nationwide expansion of the program. This expansion particularly benefitted childless adults, who in more than 40 states cannot currently qualify for Medicaid regardless of their income level. It also benefitted low income parents, who in more than 30 states don't currently qualify even if their children do. 

Health Insurance Exchange:  Health insurance Exchanges are virtual marketplaces where individuals and families can compare plans. There are also Exchanges for small businesses. States have three options regarding their design: 1) establish their own, 2) establish them in partnership with the federal government, 3) allow the federal government establish them.

About the Marketplace

The Marketplace is designed to help you procure health insurance with less hassle. Whether you’re uninsured, or just want to explore new options, the Marketplace will give you more choice over your health insurance options.  It’s a place to examine a wide range of quality plans and choose one that’s right for you. You can compare prices, and benefits, before you decide.  

Important Health Insurance Marketplace dates:

Open enrollment for 2015 coverage ended on Feb. 15, 2015. Open enrollment for 2016 coverage runs from November 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016.  Consumers should visit HealthCare.gov to see if they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period because of a life change like marriage, having a baby or losing other coverage.  Enrollment in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program is open year round. 

The Exchange will be most useful for those who don’t have access to employer-based coverage, and who don’t qualify for public programs like Medicaid. Individuals and families with incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level will receive income-based subsidies to help them afford coverage, and small businesses will also receive tax credits to help them afford coverage for their employees. By 2022, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that 25 million Americans will have coverage through the Exchange.

I'm proud to announce that New York is committed to accessible, quality healthcare for its residents, was one of the first states to create a health insurance exchange, and has expanded Medicaid coverage. 

Information on health Exchange, minimum coverage provisions, or penalties- https://www.healthcare.gov/

Information on enrollment support- http://www.healthbenefitexchange.ny.gov/enrollers?county=14&=Apply

Information about New York State of Health- http://healthbenefitexchange.ny.gov/

Small Businesses

Today, aspiring companies have a tough time finding and affording coverage that meets the needs of your employees. Starting in 2014, you’ll have more choice and control over your health insurance spending using the Small Business Owners tool, a new program designed to simplify the process of finding health insurance for your small business.

You control the coverage you offer and define how much you’ll contribute towards your employees’ coverage. You’ll also have exclusive access to an expanded Small Business Healthcare Tax Credit. This tax credit covers as much as 50% of the employer contribution toward premium costs for eligible employers who have low-to moderate-wage workers.

When small businesses get insurance through the New York State of Health, it's easier for you to take advantage of other tax breaks too including the chance for you and your employees to use pre-tax dollars to make your premium payments.

Preventive Care

Under, the ACA, depending on your age, you may have access — at no cost — to preventive services such as:

• Blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol tests
• Many cancer screenings, including mammograms and colonoscopies
• Counseling on such topics as quitting smoking, losing weight, eating healthfully, treating depression, and reducing alcohol use
• Regular well-baby and well-child visits, from birth to age 21
• Routine vaccinations against diseases such as measles, polio, or meningitis
• Counseling, screening, and vaccines to ensure healthy pregnancies
• Flu and pneumonia shots - Visit Vaccines.gov to learn more
• Prevention and Public Health Fund

Here are some examples of how the Affordable Care Act is transforming the nation:

• 86 million Americans (54 million with private insurance coverage plus 32 million in Medicare) are receiving expanded coverage without co-payments for key preventive services. These include diabetes screenings, mammograms, colonoscopies, and wellness exams.
• 2.5 million young-adults have been covered through their parents' policies which cover them till they reach the age of 26.
• Nearly 50,000 Americans who were previously denied insurance due to pre-existing health conditions have been able to obtain coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s state-based high-risk pool program.
• 2,800 employers received much needed assistance to retain benefits and lower costs for retirees and their spouses. Small businesses are eligible for tax credits to help them support their health insurance benefits.
• Individuals and families will see up to $323 million in rebates thanks to the requirement that insurance companies spend premiums on benefits instead of excessive executive salaries and other unnecessary overhead.

I join President Obama and my fellow Democratic Colleagues in Congress to do everything possible to protect the benefits provided by the Affordable Care Act and fight any attempts to repeal this historic legislation.

Congressman Rangel's Accomplishments:

HIV/AIDS Funding

Secured major increases in funding for AIDS research and treatment under the Ryan White legislation, and for treatment of AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean.

Medicare Support of New York Hospitals

Led initiative to direct an additional $400 million in Medicare payments for New York's teaching hospitals, nursing homes and healthcare providers. Also secured Medicare payments to inner-city hospitals, and increased payments for medical education for residents and interns assigned to hospitals serving the poor.

St. Luke's/Roosevelt and Presbyterian Hospitals Reconstruction

Secured federal guarantees for the sale of bonds to finance $300 million for reconstruction of St. Luke's/Roosevelt and $400 million for the renovation of Presbyterian hospitals.

North General Hospital Construction

Collaborated with the Internal Revenue Service to authorize construction of East Harlem's new North General Hospital in East Harlem, and secured federal funding for development of its geriatric ward.

Mt. Sinai Hospital Expansion

Secured $10 million in funding for the Mt. Sinai Hospital Human Genome Project, allowing expansion of the hospital's clinical services to the community.

Harlem Hospital Affiliation

Upgraded services at Harlem Hospital by increasing its affiliation arrangement with Columbia University Medical School.

Boriken Community Health Center

Saved the Boriken Community Health Center by working with the Internal Revenue Service to resolve a tax claim against the East Harlem health facility.

Funding for Kidney Dialysis

Secured adequate levels of reimbursement for dialysis treatments for victims of kidney disease, which disproportionately affects African Americans.

Employer-Provided Health Benefits

Fought to protect healthcare and life insurance benefits to employees by preserving tax incentives for employers.

Congressman Charles B. Rangel's Recent Legislation:

 

H.R.2893: Communities United with Religious leaders for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act of 2013 (Sponsor) (Introduced 7/31/2013)      

Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to make grants to eligible health entities to provide HIV testing, counseling, and referral for medical treatment to youth who are members of minority groups, are not more than age 18, are HIV positive or at risk for HIV/AIDS, including young men of racial minorities who have sex with men, and are engaged in substance abuse. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to make grants to eligible health entities for public health intervention and prevention activities with respect to one or more minority groups, including: (1) rapid HIV testing, (2) measures and activities to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and minimize its symptoms, (3) outreach activities targeting both females and males, and (4) referrals to health and mental health resources and health organizations. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the CDC, to: (1) expand and intensify HIV/AIDS prevention and education activities for minority groups, and (2) implement a national media outreach campaign that urges sexually active individuals who are members of minority groups to be tested for and know their HIV/AIDS status. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, to make grants to public or private organizations with one or more published studies on behaviors to study behavioral factors that lead to increased HIV/AIDS prevalence in minority groups.

H.R.1281: Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2014

Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend through FY2019 a grant program for screening, counseling, and other services related to heritable disorders that can be detected in newborns. Allows grants to be used to improve timeliness of newborn screening and provide training to health care professionals on the importance of timely screening and on the sharing of medical and diagnostic information with providers and families.

To Amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to Provide for a Change in Payment for Certain Hospitals under Medicare, H.R. 3613 – (Sponsor) Status: 11/21/2013 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means

Amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to revise the payment formula for acute care hospitals, hospitals that receive payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system.

National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission Act, H.R. 1074  – (Co-sponsor) Status: 3/15/2013 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health

It establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services the National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission to evaluate and recommend better coordination of federal programs that support clinical care for people with pre-diabetes and diabetes.

SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014, H.R. 4015 – (Co-sponsor) Status: 3/24/2014 - Received in Senate

It directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to report to Congress on the relationship between physician and other health professional utilization and rates of increase.