FACTBOX: US healthcare bill would provide immediate benefits

[WilliamPitt]

(edited for copyright purposes-proud patriot Moderator Democratic Underground)

FACTBOX: US healthcare bill would provide immediate benefits

WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF ENACTMENT

*Insurance companies will be barred from dropping people from coverage when they get sick. Lifetime coverage limits will be eliminated and annual limits are to be restricted.

*Insurers will be barred from excluding children for coverage because of pre-existing conditions.

*Young adults will be able to stay on their parents' health plans until the age of 26. Many health plans currently drop dependents from coverage when they turn 19 or finish college.

*Uninsured adults with a pre-existing conditions will be able to obtain health coverage through a new program that will expire once new insurance exchanges begin operating in 2014.

*A temporary reinsurance program is created to help companies maintain health coverage for early retirees between the ages of 55 and 64. This also expires in 2014.

*Medicare drug beneficiaries who fall into the "doughnut hole" coverage gap will get a $250 rebate. The bill eventually closes that gap which currently begins after $2,700 is spent on drugs. Coverage starts again after $6,154 is spent.

*A tax credit becomes available for some small businesses to help provide coverage for workers.

*A 10 percent tax on indoor tanning services that use ultraviolet lamps goes into effect on July 1.

WHAT HAPPENS IN 2011

(snip)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1914020220100319

[chill_wind]

1. Useful and informative. Bookmarking.

Thanks Will. K & R.

[goclark]

17. Bookmarked this one

[FredStembottom]

2. Useful, yes.

I still need to know if the "Minnesota Loophole" will be in effect for this part:

"Young adults will be able to stay on their parents' health plans until the age of 26. Many health plans currently drop dependents from coverage when they turn 19 or finish college."

We have had that rule in MN for years - but it doesn't apply to "Self-Insured" companies - which so very many are.

So I have had an utter nightmare getting insurance for my young adults since it is a "law" that doesn't apply to many (possibly most) real-world companies and families.

So folks, stay alert for a real let-down on this one.

Hope I am wrong................
:eyes:

[rfranklin]

3. Where are the cost controls? I don't see anything here....

This is ridiculous. It seems that the insurance companies will make out fantastically well by continuing to raise rates while gaining many new customers. And as a business owner, I can do math--it's much cheaper to pay the fine than to insure my employees.

[Donnachaidh]

5. there aren't any real cost controls

lots of shiny keys, but no real hammers where it counts.

[pattmarty]

6. Bingo! As far as cost controls, you are right. There aren't any.

[truedelphi]

9. The cost control FOR CONSUMERS is the reason I woke up to how much

Of a damn Giveaway this bill is.

And in the three months before its passage, Big Insurers went ballistic - raising their premiums yet again.

When Obama blathers on about "cost savings" -- he is talking about how the government has arranged the chairs on the deck so that the Federal Government's tab will be manageable (or so they say.)

But any way that you slice it - we the American consumer are on the hook to pay these rat bastard criminal Insurers who have been killing us and yet making the cost of our insurance AT LEAST THIRTY percent higher.

END OF RANT, for now.

[deaniac21]

10. I think most people will figure this out very quickly. Pay the fine

and get coverage after you get sick. Any idiot will be able to see that.

[berni_mccoy]

13. Required state-created non-profit plan in every exchange to provide competition

Additionally, plans that Federal Employees can subscribe to are in each exchange. Furthermore, MLR is nationally enforced at 85% for all plans, individual or group, for the first time. OPM oversees enforcement of MLR by exchange administrators. Insurance companies must have rate increases reviewed. Etc, etc, etc... you need to read the bill to see what's in it.

[kctim]

15. You are not alone

was informed that I should look at other insurance options and to be prepared to assume additional workload as they have stopped hiring and will not replace employees who leave. This will be in effect until more is known and options weighed.

[optimator]

4. where is the text of the Reconciliation Act of 2010

the Thomas one is just "As reported" and includes a public option, so it is obviously incorrect.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

7. This is a good article to pass on to people looking for information. Thanks.

[NotAFakeProgressive]

8. Healthcare Bill Benefits

Why is it a benefit that the threshold for deducting medical expenses is being raised?

[laughingliberal]

11. I like the tax on tanning salons. nt

[Dappleganger]

22. Hopefully that includes spraying orange paint. nt

[spanone]

12. k&r...

[EFerrari]

14. NCLB for physicians!

"Medicare creates a physician payment program aimed at rewarding quality of care rather than volume of services"

Nice!

[Scurrilous]

16. K & R

:thumbsup:

[eridani]

18. Excuse me, but state ALREADY HAVE those totally shitty high risk pools for sick people

The "coverage" is overpriced ant utterly useless.

And fuck retirees whose companies don't qualify for the early retirement benefit. Just charge us three times more are we're good to go.

[DailyGrind51]

19. Thank you for this, I have already forwarded it to select contacts.

[thotzRthingz]

20. while we're posting "facts" ... let's not forget some of the least palatable (yet very important)

ones (which should serve as a starting point for IMMEDIATE action on those "promised fixes").

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7993712

[pundaint]

21. And why must this be administered at the high costs for-profit insurers demand?

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

23. Oh, you and your facts and stuff....

you're ruining my perfectly good snit!