Important Information Regarding Health Care Reform

Important Information Regarding Health Care Reform

Important Information Regarding the Future of Health Care Reform
Com 150
February 14, 2010
Annette Peizer
 
Do you have health care coverage?   Many people do not have access to even basic medical services.   Those who do are struggling to pay out-of-pocket costs for office visits and medications.   Americans have varying opinions about the new health care reform act, proposed by President Barack Obama.   While there will be various levels of cost-sharing with different packages, the current administration's basic health care reform packages will cover preventive and mental health services, along with oral, and vision services for children.
The House of Representatives recently passed the health care reform act, H.R. 3962.   The bill is awaiting approval from the Senate.   A website run by supporters of President Obama and Vice President Biden (2010) states, “Health insurance premiums have doubled in the past eight years and tens of millions of Americans have no health insurance because of these costs.   Healthcare reform will provide affordable coverage with a premium” (para.1) and cost sharing credit for low-income families.” (para.2) Lack of insurance affects care and outcome.   H.R. 3962 guarantees coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions.   Four plan levels will be available to individuals and families with different levels of cost sharing.    
The Medicaid Program will be expanded and offered to people who are at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.   At the onset this program will be fully funded by the federal government and will later transition requiring many states to contribute nine percent of these costs.   According to The New England Journal of Medicine (2009), “currently only 72% of Medicare rates are paid to health care providers.   This bill will increase payments to 100%.” (para. 3)   A surtax will be imposed on households earning $350,000 per year and for those who do not obtain health care coverage.   The reform bill...