Govt to help get coverage for uninsured

[Peacetrain]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100402/ap_on_bi_ge/us_health_care_overhaul

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration took a step Friday toward showing voters concrete benefits from the new health care law, moving to help people with pre-existing health conditions get coverage within months.

The law the president signed March 23 provides for creation within 90 days of buying pools to target uninsured people who were denied coverage because of health conditions. Five billion dollars is being spent on the program, which will remain until the sweeping health law is fully implemented in 2014, when insurance companies will have to take all comers.

The program will build on buying pools that already exist in some states. The federal government will let states take the lead in setting up new pools or will administer them in states that don't want to participate on their own. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius wrote to states Friday asking them to report back by the end of April on how they want to proceed.

The new program will provide "immediate relief for potentially millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions, like diabetes or high-blood pressure, who have been shut out of the insurance system," Sebelius told reporters on a conference call

[Rosa Luxemburg]

1. It's a good start!

many people will be grateful!

[kestrel91316]

2. Obama haters to proclaim failure and pile on in 3...2...1....

[DearAbby]

3. Thank the Democrats and Obama

Relief

[eridani]

4. I'm in one of those states, and those buying pools suck, period

Overpriced, catastrophic only "coverage." Buying it has a severely negative impact on one's ability to pay for ongoing care. We already have stste dumping grounds for disposable human garbage. WE need a federal one because why?

[area51]

5. +1

Insurance coverage != medical care, no matter what kool-aid swillers want to believe.

[Juche]

6. The definition of pre-existing condition is absurd

Many pre-existing conditions can be controlled fairly cheaply. Not all, but many.

I just got turned down for health insurance because of pre-existing conditions. In the last 10 years of my life I've probably only spent $2000 on medical care (excluding dental, since I had a root canal) since that was all I needed. The drugs to keep my BP under control only costs $2-8 a month. I keep my mental health issues (depression, anxiety) under control with lifestyle interventions and nutritional supplements.

A big issue for me is moving across state lines. Indiana has a high deductible pre-existing pool, but I'm unemployed and worry using that insurance means I will not be able to look for jobs out of state. Does anyone know if the federal program that builds on state programs can be carried across state lines?

[eridani]

7. According to "reform" age is not a pre-existing condition. n/t