Health care reform was signed into law in March 2010.
While the American health care system has its good points, some point out that there is room for improvement. As a nation, we spend a lot of money on health care, but problems remain. On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed health care reform legislation into law to address some of these issues.
Spiraling Health Care Costs
Americans are paying more for their health care than in previous years. These increased costs come in the form of raised premiums, greater contributions to the cost of employer-based plans and increased deductibles and co-payments.
Lack of Insurance
Unfortunately, over 45 million people in the United States do not have health insurance, and almost nine million of them are children. More than a third of families who live below the poverty line are not covered. Uninsured people receive fewer preventative care services, and they are therefore more likely to end up in the hospital for health issues that could have been avoided. In addition, people without health care insurance may not get the treatments or the prescriptions they require because of the expense.
Spending
The United States spends much more on health care per person than other countries, $7,026 per capita in 2008. Some of this money goes toward research, and the U.S. leads other nations in medical innovation. However, even though the country spends so much, the United States ranks below many other countries in life expectancy. Its infant mortality rate is higher than Singapore, Japan, France, England and Canada.
Improving Health Care Quality
Under the new Affordable Care Act, new health care insurance plans will provide coverage for preventive health care services including mammograms and colonoscopies. Such preventive services will be provided free of charge, without being subject to deductibles, co-payments or co-insurance payments. Rebates will be awarded to senior citizens who reach the "donut hole" in prescription drug coverage.
Extended Coverage
More people will have access to health insurance under the new law. Young adults will have the option of remaining on their parents’ health care plan until they reach the age of 26. Early retirees who are too young for Medicare will get help in retaining employer coverage if they are between the ages of 55 and 65. People with pre-existing conditions will have new choices for health care insurance.
New Consumer Protections
The new law will establish a user-friendly website for consumers so that they can compare health insurance and select the coverage that is right for them. Consumers will have the right to appeal insurance company decisions with an impartial review process. Lifetime dollar limits on important coverage like hospital stays will be prohibited. The law also puts an end to the denial of coverage for a pre-existing medical condition for children under the age of 19.
