The healthcare bill has passed after more than a year of debate and negotiations. Some of the provisions will go into affect immediately. So what does the passage mean for both uninsured and insured Americans? Here is a look at some of the major changes.
Seniors will get help paying for prescription drugs.
Individuals with income of $200,000 or more and families with a combined income of $250,000 or higher will see an increase in taxes.
If you already have health coverage, within six months, the plans will have to stop setting lifetime limits on coverage and canceling policy holders who get sick.
Insurers will also have to allow children to stay on their parents’ policies through age 26 and cover children with pre-existing conditions, but can still deny adults with medical problems until 2014.
By 2014, most Americans would be required to purchase health insurance or face penalties.
Small businesses and the uninsured would have the option of shopping for coverage in medical insurance exchanges, a marketplace in which people would be able shop for and compare insurance plans. Those exchanges would be implemented in 2014.
The bill greatly expands Medicaid and subsidies to the poor. Insurance companies would not be able to place lifetime caps or deny coverage to patients based on pre-existing conditions.
Tags: health insurance, healthcare, healthcare bill, Presient Obama, uninsured
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on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 at 8:08 am and is filed under Reform & Regulation.
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