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Wednesday, if you had a pre-existing health condition, you could be flatly denied insurance coverage. If you were a young person recently graduated from college — but without a job — your parents could no longer carry you on their insurance until you got on your feet. And if you had an expensive medical condition, your insurance benefits could be cut off at a certain lifetime limit, possibly forcing you into poverty to pay your medical bills.
Starting Thursday, those things are no longer true — thanks to the much-maligned health reform bill passed earlier this year.
Health reform's benefits arrive - Concrete improvements are changing patients' lives
Seeded on Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:25 AM EDT
Article Source: The Baltimore Sun- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (52)
The latest indicator that we have been on a treacherous path? Census figures released last week show that a record number of Americans — 50.7 million of us — were uninsured last year. That's a drastic rise from the 46.3 million uninsured in 2008. A smaller percentage of the U.S. population had private insurance in 2009 than at any time since we've been keeping track.
People without insurance don't see a health care provider regularly. When they do get into an exam room, they often are in the later stages of the disease process that brought them there — when outcomes are more likely to be grim and costs are far greater.
Evidence shows that a lack of insurance not only results in worse health outcomes, it too often can be a death sentence. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health reveals that 45,000 U.S. deaths are attributable every year to a lack of health insurance.
But Thursday is the beginning of a new era, and we are already starting to see real change. The new law will guarantee millions of Americans access to quality, affordable care regardless of health status; decrease rates of the nation's leading chronic diseases; control soaring health spending; and strengthen our battered public health infrastructure.
- 10 votes
#1 - Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:26 AM EDTThere is no question that preventing disease and promoting wellness have not been priorities in our nation's health system. Fortunately, health reform provides us the opportunity to reshape the way we care for ourselves by not only expanding access to health services but shifting away from our "sick care" system.
Health reform and its historic investment in prevention will help us achieve the promise we made to give our children a higher quality of life than we have. There are those in public life today who would seek to undo these historic reforms, or at least delay their implementation. But we can't delay, and we can't turn our backs on the tens of millions of people in this country who will live longer, healthier lives because of health reform.
- 9 votes
Health insurance is good to have, however many people can not afford the cost. It is going UP, not DOWN... why doesn't President Obama have his facts straight, what makes him think that premiums are going down? They are not. I am an insurance agent, I know.
Also, anyone who thinks that people will stop going to the emergency room and that will keep cost down are wrong, the type of people who show up in the emergency room is because they have an emergency, whether they have insurance or not, that is not going to change.
I think it's great that now the insurance companies have to accept children with pre-existing conditions, I just got one accepted on a plan. What no one talks about is that the insurance companies can and are raising the premiums for these indivuals to heights that only the affluent can afford. So if you have a sick child with a disease, and you are a minium wage worker, you will not be able to afford helath insurance for your child.
As an insurance agent, I service clients and try my best to help people, I will most likely be out of a job by the end of the year, because one way insurance companies are going to maintain their profits is by cutting my commissions to 1/5 of what I'm currently making. That will force me out of a job. So, although I respect and like President Obama, I will most likely have no job because of him.
RATES ARE GOING UP FOLKS!!!! YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD INSURANCE, EVEN IF YOU ARE THREATENED BY A GOVERNMENT FINE. That makes no sense, fine someone who has no money. There are alot of unemployed people in this country.
It's a tricky game, preventative care is not going to have a copay, but it won't matter because the premiums will go up accordingly and make up for the loss to insurance companies. No caps on procedures, great, now you will pay $800 per month for insurance. Many people's income is only $2,000 per month, how do you pay rent, buy groceries, get gas, and then have $800 left over?
I don't see how this is going to turn out good in the long run for the average American.
- 1 vote
What planet are you living on? Insurers do not have to accept all people (only children at this time) everyone else has to wait until 2014. No one will be "guaranteed" health insurance. In 2014 they will be accepted, but the rates are going to be horrendously high, and most with pre-existing conditions will NOT be able to afford it. So, they will remain uninsured. Where are you getting your information? The only way to get EVERYONE health insurance is to give it to everyone for FREE. that's not going to happen in this country.
- 1 vote
That is hysterical, BoPeep:
As an insurance agent, I service clients and try my best to help people...
Yeah, cos working for the HEARTLESS insurance companies (according to you) and cashing in on their windfall is so the best way to help people.
Those heartless insurance companies got a lot of benefits from the legislation by the time it was watered down to the version that passed--but they don't get it all, or forever.
You don't mention the part about a fixed percentage of premiums being required to go for actual care for the insured pool--that alone is a beneficial (for consumers) change to the way the insurance companies do business. Do you actually claim to know anything about the legislation other than what your employer tells you?
- 8 votes
Also, anyone who thinks that people will stop going to the emergency room and that will keep cost down are wrong, the type of people who show up in the emergency room is because they have an emergency, whether they have insurance or not, that is not going to change.
It has been proven that it costs less for preventative care than it does to make people wait until they have to go to the emergency room. When someone who has no insurance or money has to depend on emergency rooms for healthcare, we all pay for it with higher costs for other hospital services. Fixing this alone will help with healthcare costs.
Secondly, when everyone is insured it does help the cost of insurance go down. This has been demonstrated in Hawaii, where the insurance rate per person is much less than it is in California.
- 10 votes
RATES ARE GOING UP FOLKS!!!! YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD INSURANCE, EVEN IF YOU ARE THREATENED BY A GOVERNMENT FINE.
Never mind that the health insurers has been doing that for years...
Since 2005, employees' premium payments have gone up 47 percent while overall premiums have risen 27 percent. Over the same period, wages have increased 18 percent and the consumer price index, a measure of inflation, has risen 12 percent, the foundation and trust said in a news release.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/02/AR2010090202265.html
- 8 votes
That's great to hear and to see that the reforms will benefit people(despite what certain people are saying).
- 12 votes
#2 - Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:53 AM EDTYes, I wonder what those arguing against health care reform will have to say about that. I'm sure they will come up with some kind of BS.
- 10 votes
Fairly easy to guess what they'll say. It costs too much. You won't be able to see a doctor for months because all of the illegal aliens getting free health care will clog the system. There will be rationing and we'll probably all die before the next election when we can put the cons back in power to save us. And on, and on , and.........
They simply won't be able to see the good because of the blinders.
- 8 votes
Don't forget all the medical professionals that are quiting because their pay will be so low. We'll have to wait MONTHS to get an appointment. Nevermind that part about helping with tuition to get more people into medicine. Or getting more care to the rural areas.
We're all gonna die............
- 6 votes
I thought all the doctors were going to leave the country once HCR was passed? I don't know where they'd go since all other industrialized countries have some sort of Universal or National Health Care.
- 9 votes
I thought all the doctors were going to leave the country once HCR was passed?
Yea I thought Rush L. said he was leaving to?
- 8 votes
yes pllllleeeeaaaassseeee go...
na na na na . hey hey hey .. gooooddbyyyyeee
- 4 votes
Thanks for the seed McSpocky. This is great news that will benefit so many!
Wednesday, if you had a pre-existing health condition, you could be flatly denied insurance coverage.
Oh yes. Health insurance providers (at least here in Oregon) required that applicants check off an extensive list of various health issues which they'd received any medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or medications for. This list of over 50 different issues went back a full 5 years. So even if a person was no longer being treated for the ailment, it was held against them. They could either be denied, or quoted such an outrageous monthly premium that paying for health coverage would be impossible.
One had to be either wealthy or very poor (Medicaid) to have private health insurance. The average middle class citizen was left behind. Shame on people for actually getting sick or having an injury! This checklist included such things as high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, sleep apnea, and chronic headaches/migraines.
About 5 years ago during a routine health exam, the blood test showed that I had hepatitis. I apparently carried the virus for several years without knowing about it. Outside of feeling fatigued sometimes, there weren't any obvious symptoms until the urine finally started to darken. Being in pretty good general health, I wrote it off to working too many hours and advanced age..:) Anyhow, since that was before retirement and having employer paid insurance, I was treated and cured. Since COBRA expired last January, I've been uninsured because of a 'pre-existing' condition even though it no longer exists. I thank the Lord that President Obama and congress have taken the pro-active steps necessary so that myself, and many others uninsured for the same reason, can now get health insurance coverage.
- 12 votes
#3 - Thu Sep 23, 2010 11:04 AM EDTYou can't get it yet, not until 2014... hope you make it until then. And as you say, even when you get it, you probably won't be able to afford the premium. Insurance Agent
- 2 votes
Thanks for the reply BoPeep. In any case, I'll be eligible for Medicare in May of 2012. However, I was informed that for permanent residents of the state of Oregon, OMIP (Oregon Medical Insurance Pool) and FMIP (Federal) benefits are available for those denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions effective immediately. There are 4 different deductible plans with different premiums to select from.
Besides being a resident of the state, one must be uninsured for the previous six months, and have a form signed by the physician who provided, or is providing, care within the last 5 years. If one of the conditions listed on the application was the reason for denial of coverage from a private insurance carrier, you automatically qualify for OMIP/FMIP under the Medical Eligibility Criteria. I downloaded an application and physician referral form from the Oregon Medical Insurance Pool and it says nothing about waiting until 2014. I'll make a visit to the doctor next week to get the form signed and verify/confirm eligibility to the plan.
- 10 votes
That's great news deacon. Amazing what information and fact finding will do. Good luck!
- 7 votes
You can't get it yet, not until 2014... hope you make it until then. And as you say, even when you get it, you probably won't be able to afford the premium. Insurance Agent
Parts of the healthcare reform kicked in today.
When the part of health care reform goes into effect, where everyone will have insurance, it will be subsidized by the government for those who can not afford it. Medicaid will cover those up to 125% of the poverty level. After that, the cost for a person or family will be figured on a sliding scale. So the cost of insuring your family will be affordable to everyone.
- 11 votes
sounds like BoPeep is making statements without doing the research. just following suit of other posters... smh .. Congrats deacon.. Fortunatly me and my family have VA Medical Insurance since Im a Vet. But I do love that every1 who needs and wants insurance will be able to have it. Because if it wasnt for the VA I and my family may be in need as well.
- 8 votes
What a bunch of left wing liberal crock.
I'm neither left or right wing, I'm trying to educate the people on the facts as an insurance agent, I see first had what is going on. Insurance companies have no heart and they are raising rates on the most sick and needy. It's not going to get more affordable, the opposite is going to happen. People, get real.
- 2 votes
Two helpful pdf docs from the source, the US government:
http://docs.house.gov/energycommerce/IMMEDIATE_PROVISIONS.pdf
- 5 votes
The government will mess this up just like they did Social Security
I'm on SS and have no problem. Didn't think it would be here when I needed it. It's one of those generation things. Damn kids with that wild music and dancing. Looks like they're having sex right on the dance floor. It's the Devil, I tell you, the Devil!
- 6 votes
I think someone had a FAUX news overload again. lol
I know a lot of people who would not be able to get by if it weren't for Social Security!
- 5 votes
If I had to count on my 401K with no SS to look forward to, I would have been homeless some years ago. I had to clear out the 401K to keep the house and eat. We can't clear out our SS account. We don't have to transfer from job to job, or worry that our employer isn't turning our money over to the broakerage. I trust the gov with my SS taxes. I do not trust the stock market.
- 7 votes
You don't trust yourself is the real issue so you want big government. I have confidence in myself and know I would do so much better. It is my money and they should not have the right to steal it.
My father in law was taken by his agent who was using his money on margins. After court all he got was basically his court costs. The agent moved on to another broker. It isn't a matter of trusting myself. It is the economy and stock market. I did not make $100,000/yr. The highest was $35,000 and that included bonuses. I am also bipolar but didn't know at the time and it kept me from a consistent life. The longest I was able to stay at the same place was 5 years. I am now on disability and one reason is that I don't play well with others. When forced into social situations I get aggressive. Bosses don't like threatening behavior. I can't control the fight or flight. We can't all have the good life. That's why SS was created.
What the gov takes out is not even close to what you get back. Invest a like amount for the rest of your working life and see how you come out. Then you will know If you were right.
- 5 votes
So because your father in law was a moron and you do not want to function normal you want the government to take over and run our lives.
- 1 vote
We would just like our country to provide a safety net like every other industrialized country in the world, instead of our country being 3rd rate...
- 4 votes
Well passing a health scare bill that has not been read will make us fourth rate
So because your father in law was a moron and you do not want to function normal you want the government to take over and run our lives.
So because you are a ____— ______, you are now #53 on the ignore list.
- 4 votes
Go ahead blame others and call them names works for Obama
- 1 vote
Go ahead blame others and call them names works for Obama
seriously, thats the best you could do?
- 6 votes
Hallelujah! The care that millions hope for is now available and I could not be more pleased.
I hear that if the Republicans win their bids in November they will try to REPEAL the health care reforms we have obtained. I will not support that stand and I will encourage every one to vote Democrat in November!!
Then I have heard the INS. COMPANIES will stop insuring children because they don't want to take care of their pre-existing conditions. Republicans are trying to help these rascals do it. If they do this I hope congress votes to go into a public plan for everyone who desires it. Then run them straight out of business.
Yes we need to get out the vote to stop them from ruining our progress which is to help people they have been hurting and killing!!
- 11 votes
#5 - Thu Sep 23, 2010 1:55 PM EDTEvery other industialized country has universal healthcare. I feel we need to give Obama more time! This is not instant breakfast, and our president is not a magician. How could anyone expect this man to accomplish everything we wanted changes for, in only 2 years. Stop and think about all of the obstructionism he has faced. If we want him to do for us what we expected, then we have to use the power of our vote to give him a better Congress for the next 2 years.
We need the Public Option. I think that he gave us the most he could get considering all of the unfair static he was getting. Think positive! We can still get that public option if we give him the right people to work with.
About the public option. At our house we are Senior Citizens. We really do like Medicare. They have been improving the way it works by adding preventative medicine. Smart Move, if you ask me!!!! We have never,ever,been denied any medical services that we need. We and our Doctors are in control. There are more generic meds on the market now and Medicare Part D will begin closing the Donut Hole after the first of the year. We have found the most economical way to be on Medicare and protect your finances is by going with basic Medicare, Part D Perscription drug, and purchasing a supplement to pick up what Medicare does not. I had the misfortune of a very bad fall several years ago. I had approx. $35,000 in Medical Bills and some more for Physical Therapy. All of this included a major surgery. Any co-pays I had were picked up by supplemental insurance. We paid nothing out of pocket! What peace of mind!!!! You would love it, and it would save all of us buckets of money to have that public option. And, I believe with everyone on it, all will improve as far as healthcare services it will provide!
Seniors are on a public option. Medicare is a public Health Insurance program! My children's children call me Grandma! I am not worried as no one is planning on killing Grandma with a Government run Universal Health Care Plan. Let me ask you, who has been killing many people before their time because of the way that the free market plans have worked in our nation! Bingo! It is the health insurers!!! Obama is putting a stop to this practice and they do not like it.
The special interests want it all for themselves and nothing for you and I. It is time for us to stand up and fight with our right to vote in November!!! That is the only way the middle class will survive!!! The middle class must survive in our country! It is up to us to save ourselves and The American Dream. Please vote this midterm. It is critcal that our voices be heard.
If anyone cares to leave a reply, I would enjoy hearing your feedback on my comments. However, I will not interact with anyone tonight. I am tired and I must get to my bed for a Good Night's Sleep. I will check back in sometime tomorrow to see if anyone would like a discussion with me.
I just signed up a few days ago. This is new to me. I am glad that I have found a place where I can interact with others that may share my same interests in life. We may not always agree, but that is o.k. too! Good Night All!!!!!!!
- 8 votes
#6 - Sat Sep 25, 2010 12:11 AM EDTBobbi, you have a great attitude and off to a good start on Newsvine. I agree with you. I am on Medicare, too. If the Democrats can keep the number of seats they have now we will still move forward but slowly. If we can get a couple more, we'll be good. Getting the truth out there is very important. Die-hards won't see it but independants will.
- 4 votes
Welcome to the newsvine Bobbi. I agre with you whole-heartedly!
- 1 vote
None of the Health Reforms prevents Insurers from simply raising the cost of their policies--duh.
In other words.........................if you are a child (period) the Insurance Companies can simply set their prices at $10,000.00 per-month if they want and in fact, that IS what is happening.
My wife works for a large corporation, and we just got our latest news...................................we have no choice of coverage.......................we are being forced to go with Cigna. We had Aetna. Before that.........................we CHOSE Blue Cross.
I needed an operation for my throat.........................scar tissue from two-bouts of Pneumonia when I was a baby. Then I got it again twice as a kid and in fact I was discharged from the U.S Airforce because I couldn't keep up in the long runs (Combat Air Controller) and it would choke me out--couldn't swallow or catch my breath quickly. I later as an adult found out from my Doctor that it was also the reason for my inabilities to play sports. I could work out in the gym but I couldn't run for long periods. Aetna declined my surgery as my throat closes up more and more each week--I have to work to swallow.
So...................................Congress and the Democrats simply didn't fight to control costs of policies--only that those with them can't be denied coverage but nowhere does it force the Insurance Cartels to have to sell a policy to anyone, for an affordable price.
It's nice though at 45 to find out that the U.S Airforce missed my throat condition, which is one I've had for life. Nice to see they in their oh so caring concern for Government Property, took it upon themselves to maybe investigate my claims when I said......................."Long runs feel like I am choking". C'est la vie. But then to have my Doctor tell me I might die some night because of the Sleep Appnea that's exaccerbated by the scar tissue and partial deviated septum I have lived with all these years and to be ignored by Aetna or denied the surgery..................................that kind of I think, sums it up.
Insurance is just the begining. Getting approved for surgery or procedures or meds is the next step as is financially having to determine if you can even afford the Co-Pay.
Our Government is just completely "defunct" of reality for most of us. Sad.
#8 - Thu Sep 30, 2010 1:28 AM EDTOh, so you have read the Heath Care Reform bill. That's a large bill to read all the way through, so kudos to you. LOL [/sarcasm]
Maybe you should watch this video: http://curiousg.newsvine.com/_news/2010/09/25/5179216-the-health-care-video-we-needed-six-months-ago
- 4 votes
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