Major provisions of the health reform law go into effect today, most notably the Patient’s Bill of Rights. Bold Nebraska will be joining AARP Nebraska, the American Cancer Society Nebraskan Cancer Action Network, the Center for Rural Affairs and Nebraska Appleseed in front of the AARP building in Lincoln to celebrate reform this afternoon with a press conference. Several friends will share stories on how health reform is helping them.
Among them is a Young Invincible (and our awesome intern), Emily Schlichting. Emily sees several specialists a month to manage her chronic, autoimmune disease and can now remain on her parents’ insurance.
Another friend is Colleen Brennan Jankovich. Colleen’s the mother of an autistic child who can no longer be denied health insurance coverage because of a pre-existing condition.
Here’s what reforms start today:
- Ban on discriminating against kids with pre-existing conditions
- Ban on Insurance Companies Dropping Coverage for arbitrary reasons
- Ban on Insurance Companies Limiting Coverage
- Lifetime limits are banned
- Annual caps are restricted and will be completely banned in 2014
- Ban on Insurance Companies Limiting Choice of Doctors
- Ban on Insurance Companies Limiting Choice of Doctors
- Guarantee You a Right to Appeal
- Covering Young Adults on Parent’s Plan
- Covering Preventive Care With No Cost
Resources:
HealthCare.gov: The government run website that explains to individuals how health care works for them.
CuidadodeSalud.gov: Un sitio web administrados por el gobierno que explica a las personas cómo el cuidado de la salud trabaja para ellos (en español).
KFF Health Reform: The Kaiser Family Foundation has easy to understand video breakdowns and research on how health reform will affect Americans.
America’s HealthCare: The Health Information Center shares stories and busts myths about the health care reform law.
