Comments on: It Is Passed! Health Care Reform Becomes Reality!

By: mommapolitico

mommapolitico — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 11:10:00 +0000

Hi Lauren and K., I am looking for answers to your wonderfully pointed and extremely poignant question. Check out this link: http://dpc.senate.gov/healthreformbill/healthbill53.pdfIt's a 60 page summary of the bill, and extremely readable – relatively speaking. One of the provisions that will help keep companies from raising their premiums is section 2718, which makes the insurance companies accountable for spending 80% of what they take in for your premiums on services for you. If not, the have to rebate it back to you. Also, in section 1003, it sets up state agencies to regulate what providers are allowed into the exchanges. Raised your rates? You don't get access to the pool of new customers. Their job will be to "watchdog" the cost increases by insurers. That goes into effect in 6 months. Which, of course, gives companies 6 months to pop up rates…Sec. 2701 also places limits on what factors insurers can use to base their premiums: family size, smoking/non-smoking,age, etc. This seems like a good thing, but still leaves room for rate hikes with age and other factors. I could go through all 60 pages, but hopefully you can take a look at the link and see for yourselves. Needless to say, the insurance companies will have their lawyers and accountants combing over it for loopholes…Having found this abbreviated and readable version, I feel a blogpost coming on…so thanks for the question, and I appreciate your piquing my curiosity!

By: K.

K. — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 22:05:20 +0000

Lauren, thanks for the pointed — that was a good post.

By: mommapolitico

mommapolitico — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 15:28:24 +0000

Hi Lauren, So you are worried the insurance companies will raise their rates before it all goes into effect? Aw, now where would you get an idea like that???The Hubby and I have been bombarded with letters from our credit card companies about our new interest rate hikes and such before the new laws go into effect. Yeah, I think your fears might be justified. As to the language of the bill re: health insurance rates, I'll do a little research and see. If you happen to see a good chart outlining when all the provisions go into effect, let me know. That's what most of the folks who ask me about such things need to know, and I have yet to find a good one. Will check out the link! Thanks much – you always send great stuff my way, Girlfriend! Thanks for the great comments.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:00:35 +0000

I am happy but concerned that insurance companies will raise their rates to prove a point. Is there anything in the legislation to prevent insurers from hiking their rates? Also, when you get a chance, swing by http://www.boneheadblog.com/. He has a great post there today about the faux anger of the tea party movement.

By: mommapolitico

mommapolitico — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:42:36 +0000

Hey there, Sue,Hope you will be one of the 32 million to benefit from all of this, Girlfriend. You deserve it – and so does every American without health care! How fortunate you are to have a doctor with $50 visits, but you're right – there is so much more that is involved. Now my question is, how do you access these new benefits? I will look around and keep you posted. Let us all know anything you find out, too! A good day to be an American, and a proud day in our history. Glad to hear from you, Sue. Take care and come back soon!

By: mommapolitico

mommapolitico — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:35:54 +0000

Hi CM, Glad to hear from you on this – I agree that there's so much more to be done, but, also like you, am happy to hear representatives discussing further steps. This will be easier to build upon now that it's in place, and with the Dems pulling it off, I think that 2010 is looking pretty good.I was with you on the "Medicare for All" bandwagon. Or even making Meidcare and Medicaid meet in the middle. Again, this is a definite step forward. But we still have much work to do, and you know first-hand, Girlfriend! Thanks for putting in your two cents (or is that a $25 copay?)and reminding us all that there is still work to be done. Thanks, CM.

By: mommapolitico

mommapolitico — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:29:37 +0000

Amen, K., amen! Couldn't have said it better myself. Yep, they are at it again…GOP claiming now that the effort against the bill had "bipartisan support" because the 34 Conservadems didn't vote for it. This kind of statement could only be made by a party that drives folks out if they don't pass the purity test! I think you're right, K., on all points. It's all gonna come back and bite 'em on the behind in the 2010 elections. Thanks for the insightful comments – good to have you here!

By: mommapolitico

mommapolitico — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:24:54 +0000

Hi Annette, How about that, Girlfriend? The day has arrived…and God bless you for your undying faith. You helped revive many of us who were wavering at times, and now here we are with HCR under our belts and more to come. Good to hear from you, Annette – thanks for stopping by, and lift a glass on this auspicious occasion!

By: mommapolitico

mommapolitico — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:22:48 +0000

Great statement, FF…you know I am a staunch Dem, a yellow dog Democrat, but with my last statement, I was referring to how we always manage to get elected, but have a heckuva time actually governing. Sometimes our party has a very big tent, and it isn't always the most consensus-building situation (e.g. Conservadems challenges to health care). You can sure as hell bet that the GOP would only have pushed through more tax cuts for the rich and the insurance companies. I am delighted that we were able to be successful in our pursuit of health care reform. There is more work to be done, but this is a great step in the right direction. As always, good to have you here, FF! Thanks for the great quote.

By: Sue

Sue — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:37:59 +0000

so sorry about your friends husband, Thankfully she and the kids will have assurance of HC.This point in my life I have no insurance, I have been accepted into Pfizer and friends for reduced RX prices, that has helped. Plus my Dr just charges 50.00 for routine visits. Not sure what I'll do when I need blood work but hopefully there will be a place for people like me to go.This is what every day Americans go thru, that's why they are dying left and right. Thank God for the Democratic party, the party of compassion! I hope these changes come into effect sooner than later!Take care mommaP!