More I learned yesterday at the clinic about the ACA and how it makes healthcare better-
1. If you have a pre-existing condition, you are able to obtain coverage.
This I find very important. First, because it's the right thing to do. How stupid that insurance companies were previously allowed to tell us that they would not cover anything that we had been made aware of prior to applying for coverage! Second, this change may not have been so necessary during my parents generation. My dad was employed with the same company for 50+ years. Those were the days when companies had a sense of loyalty to their employees, when there were strong unions fighting for the rights of workers. Today's workplace presents an entirely different set of circumstances. Employers don't feel obligated to their employees. Long term employees are often seen as a liability, rather than an asset. Unions have been weakened or busted altogether. Many long term employees find themselves suddenly out of a job and in the job market looking for a company that will take them on. If those employees are fortunate enough to find employment, guess what? They are likely going to be applying for health insurance associated with their new position. Prior to the ACA, they were simply out of luck if they had a pre-existing heart condition, high blood pressure, diabetes or any of the ailments that are common to an aging population. Thanks to the ACA we can now change jobs without fear that our healthcare will be on the line. THAT is liberating! Really, do you know any 50ish year olds who do not have a pre-existing condition????
2. There are no lifetime limits. The health insurance company will keep paying your healthcare needs no matter how much they cost.
Most people don't realize their policy has a lifetime limit. But prior to the ACA, they did. This is one of the reasons the insurance industry sunk so much money, and garnered the support of the GOP, into their efforts to stop the ACA from becoming law. That's right, I said LAW! The ACA is the law now! Thank you Mr. President!
Yes, previously, most all policies had a lifetime limit. That meant that if you got sick, I mean really sick! Let's say you got diagnosed with cancer, for instance, you would likely reach a point when you no longer had any coverage to help with your care.
Come on now, THAT is precisely the time when one might NEED their insurance. But the insurance companies had the game rigged. Most of us were simply not aware of it, because we never had to go down that road.
3. Increased coverage for children. Kids can stay on their parents plan until they are 26 years old.
And, they can stay on even if they are married! I'm not exactly sure of the prior parameters associated with continued coverage for adult children. But, I do know that for children past a certain age, coverage only was allowed to continue IF the child was in college. Should i point out that such a regulation is designed to favor a particular economic group - namely children who were fortunate enough to be able to afford to go to college? Also, some children do not CHOOSE to go the conventional route in terms of education and career choices. For instance, I have a niece who opted to go to school to become a dog groomer. Now, she deserves health insurance just like everyone else!
4. More opportunities for subsidies. The goal is to make sure EVERYONE can afford health insurance. In some cases, the government helps pay for your premium through tax subsidy.
How does the tax subsidy work? You may qualify for a subsidy that will help pay for your monthly premium. In order to qualify, you must make between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. If you qualify, your subsidy is based on your income and family size.
This is an attribute of the ACA law that I am very appreciative of, since it happens to apply to me. I will now be able to afford a policy that will meet my needs. Let me tell you, this is, for me, one of the most important aspects of the new law. If you have never raised a child without health insurance, you do not truly understand the concept of stress! I did it, and many other parents have done it too. It's time for the working poor of this country to breathe a little sigh of relief!!
And, thankfully, our president did not make this contingent upon whether the governor of the particular state we live in cooperated with his request that they expand their Medicaid programs to include the working poor. He offered all states 100% reimbursement by the federal government if they would do so. The governor of Mississippi, the state I live in, chose not to cooperate. Hey, guvna, I'm getting healthcare anyway!! BAM!!!!!!
This is not a partisan issue, but it has been turned into such. Now I ask you, really, don't you agree?? Everyone deserves healthcare!!!!!!
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