In other words, politics as usual.
If you don't know what health care reform means for you, here's a helpful article called "So what does health care reform mean for you?" Trust me, it's on-topic.
Or as a friend of mine put it:
Let's see, seniors get drugs when they need them, someone can't be dropped when they, um, get sick, job changers can't be refused because they used to be sick, oh, and colleges can lend money directly to students avoiding banker's middle man expenses.
This all seems good to me. But some folks are still really pissed off.
And I think I found out why. The following is from a Reuters article on the bill's contents:
WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF ENACTMENT
*Insurance companies will be barred from dropping people from coverage when they get sick. Lifetime coverage limits will be eliminated and annual limits are to be restricted.
*Insurers will be barred from excluding children for coverage because of pre-existing conditions.
*Young adults will be able to stay on their parents' health plans until the age of 26. Many health plans currently drop dependents from coverage when they turn 19 or finish college.
*Uninsured adults with a pre-existing conditions will be able to obtain health coverage through a new program that will expire once new insurance exchanges begin operating in 2014.
*A temporary reinsurance program is created to help companies maintain health coverage for early retirees between the ages of 55 and 64. This also expires in 2014.
*Medicare drug beneficiaries who fall into the "doughnut hole" coverage gap will get a $250 rebate. The bill eventually closes that gap which currently begins after $2,700 is spent on drugs. Coverage starts again after $6,154 is spent.
*A tax credit becomes available for some small businesses to help provide coverage for workers.
*A 10 percent tax on indoor tanning services that use ultraviolet lamps goes into effect on July 1.
It's the Jersey Shore provision! Does no one care about their needs?
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