September 23rd, 2010

I think it's safe to say that no one in the entire country is in love with what happened with health care reform six months ago. You wanted more, you wanted less, you wanted something completely different.

Fine. Me too. No polemics are intended here. I am just going to mention that six months ago, a healthcare reform bill was passed and whatever you think about it, today was the day that certain fairly significant changes became law.

Here, as reported at http://www.americasfairhealthcare.org/ , they are:

•No More Getting Dropped After You Get Sick

You no longer can be cut after the fact, period.

•Immediate Access, Even If You Have Pre-Existing Conditions

Children younger than 19 no longer can no longer be rejected from health care plans due to pre-existing conditions, and new plans cannot exclude adults or children from coverage for a pre-existing condition.

•No More "Lifetime Limits"

Insurers no longer can stop your benefits because you have "maxed out".

•Tax Credits for Small Businesses Providing Coverage to Workers

Qualified small businesses will get tax credits to help cover up to 35 percent of their workers’ premiums.

•Medicare Prescription Drug Rebates for Seniors

Medicare Part D enrollees who hit the Medicare prescription drug benefit gap in 2010 automatically will receive a $250 rebate check.  
 
 
Whatever you may think of the total package, you may one day have reason to thank your lucky stars that one of these changes is in effect. Don't forget about them...