The Top 18 Immediate Effects Of The Health Care Bill

[SxyMartini]

After months of fierce debate in Washington and around the country and after an intense day of voting on Capitol Hill, the House of Representatives passed a health care reform bill and it's on its way to President Obama's desk.

Once Obama signs the bill into law, as he is expected to do on Tuesday, it will mean an end to the current health care system as we know it.

Pundits on the right and left have been reacting to passage of the legislation, but what does the bill actually mean for the average American?

The Huffington Post has compiled a list of the top 18 immediate effects of the health care bill as well as some that will take effect in the first year of implementation:

An End To Pre-Existing Conditions

Health Insurers cannot deny children health insurance because of pre-existing conditions. A ban on the discrimination in adults will take effect in 2014.

Small Business Tax Credits

Businesses with fewer than 50 employees will get tax credits covering up to 50% of employee premiums.

Seniors Get 'Donut Hole' Rebate

Seniors will get a rebate to fill the so-called "donut hole" in Medicare drug coverage, which severely limits prescription medication coverage expenditures over $2,700. As of next year, 50 percent of the donut hole will be filled.

More Young Adults Covered On Parents' Plans

The cut-off age for young adults to continue to be covered by their parents' health insurance rises to the age 27.

No Lifetime Caps

Lifetime caps on the amount of insurance an individual can have will be banned. Annual caps will be limited, and banned in 2014.

Adults With Pre-Existing Conditions Covered

A temporary high-risk pool will be set up to cover adults with pre-existing conditions. Health care exchanges will eliminate the program in 2014.

New Insurance Plans Must Include Preventative Care

New plans must cover checkups and other preventative care without co-pays. All plans will be affected by 2018

The End Of 'Recissions'

Insurance companies can no longer cut someone when he or she gets sick.

Transparency In Insurance Companies

Insurers must now reveal how much money is spent on overhead.

Customer Appeals Process

Any new plan must now implement an appeals process for coverage determinations and claims.

Indoor Tanning Services Tax

This tax will impose a ten percent tax on indoor tanning services. This tax, which replaced the proposed tax on cosmetic surgery, would be effective for services on or after July 1, 2010.

Enhanced Fraud Abuse Checks

New screening procedures will be implemented to help eliminate health insurance fraud and waste.

Medicare Expansion To Rural Areas

Medicare payment protections will be extended to small rural hospitals and other health care facilities that have a small number of Medicare patients.

Deductions For Blue Cross Blue Shield

Non-profit Blue Cross organizations will be required to maintain a medical loss ratio -- money spent on procedures over money incoming -- of 85 percent or higher to take advantage of IRS tax benefits.

Nutrient Content Disclosure

Chain restaurants will be required to provide a "nutrient content disclosure statement" alongside their items. Expect to see calories listed both on in-store and drive-through menus of fast-food restaurants sometime soon.

Better Coverage For Early Retirees

The bill establishes a temporary program for companies that provide early retiree health benefits for those ages 55‐64 in order to help reduce the often-expensive cost of that coverage.

Better Consumer Information On The Web

The Secretary of Health and Human Services will set up a new Web site to make it easy for Americans in any state to seek out affordable health insurance options The site will also include helpful information for small businesses.

Encouraging Investment in New Therapies

A two‐year temporary credit (up to a maximum of $1 billion) is in the bill to encourage investment in new therapies for the prevention and treatement of diseases.

[Pepperlynns]

and the bad in all of this is?

[SxyMartini]

Sounds horrible! OMG! It's the end!!!! 

[Pepperlynns]

your right! Boehner will be taxed from the over usage of a tanning bed...

[360]

Of course it sounds good, but ask yourself how is it paid for?  Economics  101.  Government demands more and regulates more until the insurance company goes under.  When that happens we are left with a universal provider, no choices and a government who will regulate what services your doctor can provide. 

[Randi02]

These all seem like such primitive "ideas"

I'm so thankful to live in Canada where these types of things (drug coverage, pre existing conditions etc.) are not ever an issue. If a doctor orders something, it's covered. We all have basic coverage and care, and then the option to have private insurance, which is often employee provided.

[Mandipants]

Quoting 360:

Of course it sounds good, but ask yourself how is it paid for?  Economics  101.  Government demands more and regulates more until the insurance company goes under.  When that happens we are left with a universal provider, no choices and a government who will regulate what services your doctor can provide. 

Well of course that sounds scary. But ask yourself how logical it is to fall in line because of fear mongering abolutes that don't necessarily play out in real life. If A then B...

Logic 101.

[Talee]

 Actually this all sounds great to me...

[nikki0522]

I don't see the problem..............

[athenax3]

These things sound like ...well...progress.

[LavenderMom23]

I was reading the list and it all sounds perfect minus one thing:

New Insurance Plans Must Include Preventative Care

(That ^ means ABORTIONS)