the new health bill?

[4cm in Pacific Northwest]

I am really trying to figure this one out. What does it mean exactly?

Will some of my ANA buddies finally get coverage for Baha's, Botox, facial therapy... and those college kids coverage too?

I do not know about anyone else but I am trying to figure out all it entails. It is SOOH confusing.!  Will people in my ANA group who won't see a specialist because of lack of fund and insurance now -will be able to. Does this mean that insurance companies cannot discriminate a patient because they had an acoustic neuroma before?

I guess I see the headlines (in the USA, Canada and everywhere else on the glove tonight) but I just don't understand how and when this bill comes into play.

CNN does not even explain this ... really...
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2010/03/22/acosta.what.is.in.the.health.bill.cnn?hpt=T1

When an ANA patient calls me and asks how they go about getting the insurance... I don't have a clue how to answer that now.

Is there a good link somewhere that explains this in LAYMAN's terms   (Ie You do not have to have an American Political science degree or law degree to figure it out)

DHM

[sgerrard]

For the sake of calm on the forum, we had best keep this discussion and predictions polite and limited.

The general consensus so far is that only a few things will take effect in the short term, with the rest of it stretching out over several years. In the meantime it will probably get revised several times. Don't look for an insurance exchange in your state any time soon, and the hot-potato rule about having insurance or paying a tax penalty won't take effect until 2013, if it turns out to be a keeper.

The short term effects, which will be generally popular, are curbs on insurance companies being able to deny coverage for existing conditions, rules to cover children until age 26 on their parents policy, and an increase in prescription drug coverage for seniors. Other than that, as the New York Times put it, "most Americans with insurance are unlikely to see any immediate change in their coverage." Long term is another question, and the dust has to settle down a lot before anyone can really say.

I do think that having an acoustic neuroma will be less of a barrier to getting medical insurance from now on, and that at least is a good thing.

Steve

[ppearl214]

The short term effects, which will be generally popular, are curbs on insurance companies being able to deny coverage for existing conditions......

... thus, why I am following this very closely... as I have been questioned by previous employer insurance companies as to whether or not they would cover me due to pre-existing (gawd, I miss my healthy days........)

For the sake of calm on the forum, we had best keep this discussion and predictions polite and limited.

*sits on forum sofa with bowl of popcorn.............*

[leapyrtwins]

For the sake of calm on the forum, we had best keep this discussion and predictions polite and limited.

Hmm. . . this is going to be a tough one.  Personally I think the bill is going to cost a lot of us money in the form of taxes in a few years both due to having either very good insurance coverage or by not having any at all.  I was shocked to see that the government is going to impose tax penalties on those who don't eventually get insurance.  While I think the majority of Americans should have insurance - and the bill will give many who didn't have the opportunity before to get it - I'm opposed to the government telling individuals what they HAVE to do with their personal lives.   

I'm concerned about what this will cost our government (or should I say us as taxpayers) over time and I'm also concerned that we will be funding insurance coverage for illegals.  My concern further extends to doctors - may whom will decided that it's not cost effective for them to practice anymore.  I know several excellent doctors who were highly opposed to this bill and I think it will change their professional futures immensely.  I wouldn't be surprised if more doctors decided to go into research instead of practicing medicine. 

I am not an Obama fan and I can't wait to see who will succeed him.  I may be wrong, but I really doubt he'll be more than a 1-term president.  From my mouth to God's ear.

Just my two cents.

Pass the popcorn, Phyl.

Jan

[ppearl214]

Pass the popcorn, Phyl.

*passes Jan the 94% Fat Free popcorn since she's been doing great on her diet!*

[sgerrard]

I was shocked to see that the government is going to impose tax penalties on those who don't eventually get insurance. 

I wonder if they won't figure out a better way to present it, something like "Anyone with health insurance gets a $300 tax credit (but your taxes are going up $300)." There is still time to get the wording right. Tax incentives are one of the standard ways for government to implement public policy.

Steve

[leapyrtwins]

Actually I just saw on the news that several states are challenging this bill on the grounds that it is unconstitutional for just the reason I cite - you can't "make" people purchase medical insurance.  The challenge is starting with the Attorney General of Florida, I believe, and at the current time 38 states are joining him.  As soon as Obama signs the bill they plan on filing suit.

It will be very interesting to see where this all ends up.

Thanks for the fat free popcorn, Phyl.  Weigh in is on Thursday and I'm trying to be "good" 

Jan

[moe]

He JUST signed the bill and 13 states have already filed lawsuits against the federal government.
Breathe, this is gonna go on and on and on and on and.....................................
Maureen.....

[lori67]

I'm not going to touch most of this topic with a 10 foot pole, but will only say to DHM that I don't think as WTT-er's we should be giving advice about insurance matters anyway.  Everyone's coverage, at this point, is different so there's no way you could possibly give them accurate advice on their own personal policy.  And if, at some later date, everyone has the same coverage, they can always call the IRS for the details.

Oops, did I accidently let my opinion slip in there?   

As far as predictions, I predict someone will pass me some of that popcorn before it's gone.

Lori

[Brendalu]

Amen, Jan!  I agree wholeheartedly with all that you said, including NOT being an Obama fan.

Brenda

[leapyrtwins]

I'll pass it, Lori.

This is a very touchy subject, and I haven't given (nor will I give) more than a very small piece of my thoughts on this bill.  I have numerous issues with it and I think I'd get kicked off the Forum for sure - for unacceptable language, etc.

I totally agree with you.  We - whether members of the WTT list or the Forum (or in some of our cases, both) - should NOT be giving advice about insurance matters when it comes to coverage of acoustic neuromas.  I realize I give advice on how to get insurance coverage for BAHA implants, but that's another issue entirely.  ANs need to be treated - it's a no-brainer (pun intended) - whereas no one is going to have major medical issues because they were refused coverage of a BAHA.

Jan

[Kaybo]

I'm just the dumb blond of the Forum (& I have only watched Nick Jr. for a week now)...but don't we have some cookies to go with that popcorn...maybe Oreos?? 

K   

[ppearl214]

but don't we have some cookies to go with that popcorn...maybe Oreos?? 

double stuff Oreos....

[lori67]

How about the new springtime double stuff oreos with the yellow filling?  Or as my 3 year old says "yeyow yoyos".

[Kaybo]

I won't even tell you how many packages of those we have eaten - I like the "holiday" ones best because A) they are the freshest & B) they seem to have a bit more stuffing than regular ones but not overdone like Double sometimes are!  Can you tell I know my Oreos? 

K