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For Immediate Release
September 23, 2010
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For more information,
contact:
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Consumers for Affordable Health Care,
Maine
People's Alliance, and State Legislators Hold Event
Commemorating Six Month Anniversary of Affordable Care
Act;
Highlight New
Benefits |
(Orono) On Thursday morning advocates with
Consumers for Affordable Health Care, Maine People's
Alliance, and State Representatives Emily Cain and Adam
Goode, both of whom serve on the Joint Select Committee
on Health Care Reform Opportunities and Implementation,
held an event on the campus of the University of
Maine-Orono to commemorate not only the six month
anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, but to also
discuss the new benefits going into effect on Thursday.
Several key provisions went into effect Thursday,
including allowing young adults to remain on their
parents' coverage until the age of 26, and banning the
practice of denying children coverage based on a
pre-existing conditions.
"Although we won't
experience the full benefits of reform until 2014, there
are still many benefits we can take advantage of that go
into effect today," said Representative Cain.
"Caps on lifetime benefits have been lifted, so
people with chronic illnesses will no longer lose
coverage when a limit is met. Also starting today,
all new plans must cover certain preventive services
such as mammograms and colonoscopies without charging a
deductible, co-pay or coinsurance."
As a young
adult attempting to begin his career, Tim McGuire was
concerned that he would have to forego health insurance
coverage. Beginning today he will be able to stay
on his parents' coverage until he turns 26 or is offered
coverage through work. Given the harsh economic
climate, many recent graduates are struggling to find
jobs, let alone jobs with health benefits. "Thanks to
the new benefits going into effect today, I no longer
have to worry about how I was going to afford insurance
coverage. I can remain on my parents' coverage
until the age of 26, if I cannot find a job opportunity
that includes benefits," McGuire said.
Thursday marks the six month
anniversary of when the Affordable Care Act was signed
into law by President Obama. Even though a number
of key provisions went into effect on Thursday, there
have been benefits for certain populations since the
bill became law. "Seniors will receive a rebate
check of $250 to help in paying for their prescription
drugs," said Representative Goode. "Also, as many
as 43,000 Maine small businesses - the livelihood of
Maine's economy - are eligible for tax credits to help
pay for their employees' health benefits."
As a helpful guide, here is a summary of
the Affordable Care Act and who benefits from the new
law this year:
- Young adults under age 26 will be able to stay on
their parents' health plan. This is important because
young adults often lose coverage when they turn 19 or
graduate from college.
- Health insurance companies will be held
accountable. Premiums will be kept down, many
types of company abuses and denials of care will be
stopped, and discrimination against children with
pre-existing conditions will end.
- Medicare now covers preventive services like
mammograms and colonoscopies (effective Jan. 1, 2011).
- Seniors are entitled to a free yearly wellness
visit (effective Jan. 1, 2011).
- The prescription drug coverage gap in Medicare
Part D, also known as the "donut hole", will be closed
over time. This process starts with a $250
rebate to those who hit the gap this year. Seniors who
qualify will automatically receive those checks by
mail.
- No more cost-sharing for preventive care. Many
people will have access to preventive services like
flu shots and screenings for blood pressure and
diabetes, without paying out-of-pocket. This is
important because people often avoid or delay
preventive health care because of the cost.
- Small businesses may qualify for tax credits.
These credits can go up to 35% of the amount they pay
toward their employees' insurance premiums.
- No more lifetime dollar limits on your coverage.
This is a huge victory for people with chronic
illnesses who have lost coverage or are about to lose
coverage due to lifetime or annual benefit limits.
Maine law will remove annual limits in 2011, and the
ACA will remove them nationally in
2014.
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Consumers
for Affordable Health Care is
a non-profit, non-partisan organization that has been
helping Maine people get quality, affordable health care
for more than 20 years. If you have any public or
private insurance questions please call our toll free
consumer HelpLine at 1-800-965-7476.
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