The Conservative Cave
Current Events => Politics => Topic started by: RightCoast on December 18, 2009, 08:29:59 PM
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A response to my form letter generated by gop.com, the RNC's website.
Also included was a 10-page summery PDF re: the bill.
From CongressCritter John Larsen (D-CT) www.larson.house.gov/ (http://www.larson.house.gov/)
Dear Mr,...
Thank you very much for contacting me about health care reform. I appreciate your concerns and hope you find this response helpful.
On November 7, 2009, the House of Representatives passed The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962). I voted in favor of this legislation because it reduces the long-term costs of health care, increases access to affordable health insurance coverage, and improves the quality of care that every American receives. This legislation is a historic step forward to ensure that no family has to face financial ruin because of illness and creates a sustainable system that will provide quality health care for generations to come.
While I fully support the bill that passed, I recognize that no legislation is perfect and I am dedicated to continuing work to ensure health reform meets all of our goals. However, without this historic action we face an unsustainable situation. Family premiums, costs to businesses large and small, and the federal commitment to health care will continue to skyrocket leaving millions of individuals without affordable health insurance. The Affordable Health Care for America Act will put us on the right path by reducing the federal deficit by $138 billion over the next ten years and covering nearly 36 million uninsured individuals.
The legislation will make lasting changes to our health care system and contains a number of priorities that will be implemented immediately upon enactment that will:
. Eliminate the Medicare Part D "donut hole" by 2019 and give a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs purchased in the donut hole. This will benefit the nearly 120,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the First Congressional District, many of whom fall into the donut hole and struggle with the high costs of prescription drugs each year.
. Forbid health insurance companies from cancelling an individual's health plan when they get sick.
. Allow young adults to stay on their parents' health insurance plan until their 27th birthday.
. Give uninsured individuals with pre-existing health conditions access to affordable health coverage through a temporary national insurance program.
. No longer allow insurance companies to put a lifetime limit on health care coverage.
Beginning in 2013, the comprehensive reforms to our health care system will be fully implemented. These include consumer protections that will end discriminatory practices and enhance the marketplace for insurance coverage to provide access to affordable coverage for every American.
This bill abides by the principle laid out by the President that if you like what you have you can keep it. However, starting in 2013, all new health insurance policies will have to include a minimum set of benefits including a cap on out-of-pocket payments, preventive care services such as check-ups and screenings without a co-pay, and vision and dental coverage for children. In addition, health insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate based on your past health history and they will be required to offer coverage to everyone who wants it.
The bill will also create a new marketplace for insurance coverage that will provide the choice and competition that is lacking in today's market for small businesses and individuals without insurance. This marketplace, known as a Health Insurance Exchange, will provide options to consumers in a transparent and user-friendly manner, in order to allow individuals to comparison shop from a variety of health insurance plans. Every plan will have to meet minimum benefit requirements and individuals will receive credits to help defray the cost of coverage depending on their income.
Finally, every Medicare beneficiary will see tangible benefits from this legislation. Besides closing the "donut hole," the bill will eliminate cost-sharing for preventive visits to the doctor like cancer screenings, provide greater access to primary care doctors, and provide better coordination of health care services. By reducing waste, fraud, and abuse in the program, we will extend the solvency of Medicare to make sure the benefits will last for generations to come.
The legislation that passed the House of Representatives was a historic step forward for the American people. With it, we moved one step closer to providing the security and stability in health care that every American deserves.
Please find enclosed additional materials about The Affordable Health Care for America Act and as this process continues, please do not hesitate to contact me with any other questions or concerns.