WHAT DOES THIS MEAN
FOR YOU?

BY Dr. KC Kelly - Fort Lauderdale Mental Health Examiner

"There is nothing more likely to start disagreement among people or countries than an agreement." E. B. White...

Saturday, March 20, 2010 was a long day of tension for both the democratic and republican parties. The vote on health care reform was history in the making for the US House. The United States House of Representatives voted for health care reform by a vote of 219-212 with Republicans unanimous in opposition. Democrats passed a landmark health care reform bill they’re comparing to Medicare and Social Security. It has said to be a huge victory for President Obama who wagered his political capital on getting this bill passed. It covers 32 million uninsured Americans and costs nearly a trillion dollars. Both sides agree it’s historic, but do not agree on the outcome.

This reform effort has left the nation bitterly divided and politically polarized. Tons of people, for and against this health care reform bill, visited the nation’s capital to vent their frustrations.

With the health care reform bill now passed, Washington has to find a way to make it work. The big question is: How will it effect us?

Here are some of the highlights:

• Insurance companies are now prevented from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.
• Insurers would be barred from canceling coverage for ill people as well as charging higher premiums based on a person’s gender or medical history.
• The Medicare prescription “Doughnut Hole” would be closed by year 2020. Under current law, Medicare stops covering drug costs after the plan and the beneficiary have spent more than $2,830 on prescription drugs. It starts paying again after an individual’s out of pocket expenses exceed $4,550.
• Individuals would be required to purchase coverage or face a fine up to $695 or 2.5% of their income; whichever is greater. This will take effect in 2016.
• The plan includes a hardship exemption for low income families.
• Companies with more than 50 employees would be required to pay a fee of $2,000 per worker if the company does not provide coverage and if any of the company's workers receive federal health care subsidies. The first 30 workers would be subtracted from the math.
• States could now choose whether to ban abortion coverage in plans offered in the health insurance exchanges. Individuals purchasing plans through the exchanges, would have to pay for the abortion coverage out of pocket.
• Undocumented immigrants would not be allowed to buy health insurance in the health insurance exchanges.
• Young adults can stay on their parent’s health care plans up to 26 years old.

Inside the House, tempers occasionally boiled over during the two hour debate as both sides had very passionate arguments. This massive health care reform has drastically divided the House and the country.

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