I recently attended a presentation about the Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act at a hospital in the medical center here in Houston. The speaker, a physician, was explaining to other physicians how various provisions of the law would affect patient referrals, patient care, and reimbursement for hospitals.
He told the audience, “If you think you’re against ‘Obamacare,’ look at the individual provisions of the act and consider which ones you’re really against.”
We should do the same thing. Consider the provisions of the law, and ask yourself if you really want politicians or activist judges to do away with them:
Effective in 2010:
•Prohibiting Insurance Companies from Denying Coverage of Children Based on Pre-Existing Conditions.
•Prohibiting Insurance Companies from Rescinding Coverage.
•Eliminating Lifetime Limits on Insurance Coverage.
•Allowing Patients to Appeal Insurance Company Decisions.
•Providing Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credits.
•Offering Relief for 4 Million Seniors Who Hit the Medicare Prescription Drug “Donut Hole.”
•Providing Access to Insurance for Uninsured Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions.
•Extending Coverage for Young Adults up to Age 26.
•Expanding Coverage for Early Retirees.
•Increasing Payments for Rural Health Care Providers.
•Strengthening Community Health Centers.
Effective in 2011:
• Prescription Drug Discounts for Seniors.
•Providing Free Preventive Care for Seniors.
Effective in 2012:
•Linking Payment to Quality Outcomes.
•Using Electronic Health Records to Reduce Paperwork and Administrative Costs.
•Providing New, Voluntary Options for Long-Term Care Insurance for Disabled Adults.
Effective in 2013:
•Expanding Preventive Health Coverage.
•Increasing Medicaid Payments for Primary Care Doctors.
•Providing Additional Funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Effective in 2014:
•Prohibiting Discrimination by Insurance Companies Due to Pre-Existing Conditions or Gender. •Eliminating Annual Limits on Insurance Coverage.
•Ensuring Coverage for Individuals Participating in Clinical Trials.
•Tax Credits to Make Insurance Affordable for Middle Class Americans.
•Establishing Affordable Insurance Exchanges.
•Increasing the Small Business Tax Credit.
•Increasing Access to Medicaid
•Requiring Individuals who are Able to Take Responsibility by Purchasing Insurance.
Effective in 2015:
•Paying Physicians Based on Value Not Volume.
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