I found this outline of what the Affordable Care Act does and what it will do very helpful. It came from my House representative, Karen Bass.
Currently Available Provisions (since 2010)
- Covering preventive health services such as mammograms or colonoscopies without charging a deductible, co-pay, or coinsurance
- Immediate access to insurance for uninsured individuals with a pre-existing condition
- Eliminating pre-existing condition exclusions for children
- Tax credits to small businesses that cover at least 50% of their employees’ healthcare
- and more...
Changes Available starting in 2012
- Encouraging hospitals, Accountable Care Organizations, and Medicare to work together to improve the safety and quality of patient care
- Ensuring that doctors are paid according to the quality of their care, giving hospitals a greater incentive to continually improve how they deliver care
- For the full list of 2012 benefits
Changes in 2013
- Reimbursing over-the-counter medications under a flexible spending accounts
- Health insurance companies must spend a higher percentage of the premium on healthcare and quality
Changes in 2014
- Eliminating annual limits on covered benefits, so insurance companies cannot limit the care you receive
- Establishing affordable insurance exchanges and allowing you to compare health plans
- Learn more about provisions in 2014
Changes in 2015 and Beyond
- Paying physicians based on value, not volume
- Ensuring we continue to innovate and lower heath costs
- Excise tax on high cost employer-provided health plans becomes effective in 2018 to prevent discrimination
- More information about the future provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
And now, for your amusement:
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| I'm concerned about the ring on his finger -- and who is that lady with the red nails? |
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| This would definitely be me, if I were a nurse. |
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| Looks like Little Red Riding Hood grew up to be a nurse and The Big Bad Wolf is eating her up! |
And finally, this is for all my fellow care-givers:
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| I could never resist a doctor who smokes. |
Love the old book covers. Apparently nurses are hot. Who knew?
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather knew. Makes me sort of wonder, you know?
ReplyDeleteI am so glad, elated, that the ACA passed judicial scrutiny. Good information you've got posted here.
ReplyDeleteI was once married to a nurse and she made plenty good money! Unfortunately the hours are terrible.
LOVE the book covers.
Those book covers made my day! Thank you. I've got to share with friends who are nurses!
ReplyDeleteThose book covers are priceless. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteAnd that last author -- I wonder if Willo Davis Roberts was her real name, or merely a nom de plume? Willo. Hmmm...