This Week in Review-- The Healthcare Bill

Yes, I know it's not breaking news- the healthcare bill passed a week ago.  But, do you know anything about it?  Any of the immediate effects?

Didn't think so.  But don't feel bad- studies show that only about 10% of people surveyed actually know what's in the legislation. 

So, Your Favorite Blogger's Favorite Blog (title revision^^) made a "top ten list" of the important features, especially immediate changes, of this historical bill:

1. NO MORE PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
Health Insurers cannot deny children health insurance because of pre-existing conditions. A ban on the discrimination in adults will take effect in 2014.

2. SENIORS GET THE DONUT

Seniors will get a rebate to fill the so-called "donut hole" in Medicare drug coverage, which severely limits prescription medication coverage expenditures over $2,700. As of next year, 50 percent of the donut hole will be filled.

3.YOUNG ADULT COVERAGE EXTENSION

The cut-off age for young adults to continue to be covered by their parents' health insurance rises to the age 27. 

4. NO LIFETIME CAPS

Lifetime caps on the amount of insurance an individual can have will be banned. Annual caps will be limited, and banned in 2014.

5. + PREVENTATIVE CARE

 New plans must cover checkups and other preventative care without co-pays. All plans will be affected by 2018.

6. NO MORE RECISSIONS

Insurance companies can no longer cut someone when he or she gets sick.

7. CUSTOMER APPEALS PROCESS

Any new plan must now implement an appeals process for coverage determinations and claims.

8. MEDICARE EXPANSION TO RURAL AREAS

Medicare payment protections will be extended to small rural hospitals and other health care facilities that have a small number of Medicare patients.

9. NUTRIENT CONTENT DISCLOSURE

Chain restaurants will be required to provide a "nutrient content disclosure statement" alongside their items. Expect to see calories listed both on in-store and drive-through menus of fast-food restaurants sometime soon.

10. BETTER COVERAGE FOR EARLY RETIREES

The bill establishes a temporary program for companies that provide early retiree health benefits for those ages 55‐64 in order to help reduce the often-expensive cost of that coverage.

... and there you have it.  It's a long time coming in my opinion.  And for the record, whenever someone says that Obama is a socialist, I shut my brain off for the remainder of the conversation and my expression slowly defaults to the "Cam True Mag Face": 

The bill does not erect a huge New Deal-Great Society-style government program. In lieu of a public option, it delivers 32 million newly insured Americans to private insurers.  All the anger and rightwing extremism is simply because it's a major change.  It's the same kind of national existential reordering that roiled America during the Civil Rights movement in the 60's.