Coverages of Affordable Health Choices Act 2009
The Proposed Health Care and Insurance Reform from The US Government
On July 14, 2009, the House committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and Labor finalized a proposal for the House of Representatives that tries to tackle what it sees as problems with the existing health care system in the United States. This proposal was drawn up at the insistence from President Obama that it was time for health care reform and based their proposal on his ideas for that reform.
Health Insurance Exchange and the Public Health Option
Among the new features that are being discussed for the US health care reform are an Insurance Exchange, Public Health Insurance option and Guaranteed Coverage.
The proposal makes way for an “exchange” for health insurance which will gather all the insurance options for the country into one place, creating a marketplace for consumers to comparison shop for insurance. This will create a larger field of opportunity for individuals to find the coverage they want. There is also an option for states to be able to run their own exchange, as long as restrictions are followed.
The proposal for the exchange includes an option for public health insurance. This option will be a government run insurance plan that will be subject to the same market runes and consumer protections as other insurance plans in the exchange. This is not a government funded plan, but will be operated and financed by its premiums like any other insurance company. It should have a standardizing effect for premiums to aid in keeping the Exchange competitive.
Standards Being Set in the Proposal
Pre-existing conditions will no longer be a reason to be turned down by insurance companies for a policy or for treatments, nor will it be a reason for a raise in premiums.
An independent Advisory Committee chaired by the Surgeon General will put together a package that will become the basic benefits package standard in the insurance Exchange. This package will include preventative services, mental health, oral and vision for children. This will also set a cap on family contributions of coverage per year.
Other Considerations in Health Care Reform
Affordability, Shared Responsibility, Focus on Prevention, Wellness and Workforce Investments, and Medicare Improvements are also a large portion of this proposal. There will be requirements for all Americans to become covered by health insurance in some form or another.
Sliding scale credits will be available to low to moderate income individuals and families (those whose income is under 400% of $43,000 for individuals and $88,000 for family of four). This sliding scale gives credit for insurance premiums – allowing more credits for lower incomes and less credit for those with higher incomes.
Individuals or families whose income is 133% of the federally determined poverty level will be eligible for a new, expanded version of Medicaid.
Medicare is also under scrutiny and will be revamped to benefit the elderly with improvements to low income subsidies, help with the problems with part D drug plans, eliminate cost-sharing for preventative medicine, and very importantly, fix doctor payouts.
Health Care Coverages for All Americans
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Politics & Society
Latest Articles