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Politics : A US National Health Care System? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: John Koligman who wrote (17212)	4/22/2010 1:03:48 PM
From: i-node	1 Recommendation Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 42652

John Has it not occurred to you that, with a minuscule $15 Billion in profits last year, the evil insurance industry profits are not a contributor to the "health care problem"? This is just a case of liberals demonizing an industry to make themselves look good in the eyes of an ignorant public. Please let me know when the cost of health care in the US goes down without a corresponding drop in quality.

To: John Koligman who wrote (17212)	4/29/2010 5:52:56 PM
From: John Koligman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 42652

Some timeline dates for the new legislation. Was reading the current issue of Consumer Reports today and one nice thing I noticed is that plans will have to start covering preventive care (things like colonoscopies included) with no co-pay or deductible... Health-reform timelineLast reviewed: April 2010 This far-reaching legislation brings in some changes that affect consumers almost immediately, but the major changes don't happen until 2014. Here are some key dates in the health-reform timeline: Late June 2010 New high-risk insurance pool for people with pre-existing conditions is supposed to be up and running by this date. To be eligible, you have to have been without insurance for at least six months. The pool will exist either until its funding runs out, or full reform begins in 2014, whichever comes first. July 2010 All states are supposed to establish public Web sites where you can look up the available coverage choices, including private plans, Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Programs, and high-risk pools. Various times in 2010 Medicare patients who fall into the Part D "doughnut hole" will get a one-time $250 rebate, in 2010 only. Sept. 23, 2010 Several consumer protections begin at the start of the first plan year after this date, which is Jan. 1, 2011 for most people with job-based coverage, but can start at any time of year, so check with your insurer or plan administrator to be sure. So in September, check when your open enrollment period runs and how these new protections will affect you. Changes include: New group and individual plans must start covering proven preventive care, such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and immunizations. All health plans, new and old, must allow adult children to stay on their parent's health plan until their 26th birthday, unless they have access to job coverage on their own. All health plans must start covering minor children with pre-existing conditions. Health plans can no longer rescind your coverage if you come down with a serious illness. Nov. 15-Dec. 31, 2010 This is the time of year when people on Medicare can switch plans. If you have been covered under a private Medicare Advantage plan, carefully review your options for 2011. That's when these plans start losing the extra subsidies they've enjoyed up until now, and some may respond by changing prices or benefits. Jan. 1, 2011 More changes to Medicare begin. All plans must start covering the full cost of proven preventive services, with no deductibles or copays, and provide a free annual "comprehensive health assessment"—a checkup, plus discussion of your personal risk factors and ways you might address them. And anyone who falls into the "doughnut hole" will receive a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs. This subsidy will increase in subsequent years until the doughnut hole closes completely in 2020. 2013 Changes begin in preparation for full reform in 2014. Medicare taxes go up on adjusted gross incomes of more than $200,000 for individuals or $250,000 for couples. They'll have to pay an extra 0.9 percent tax on all earnings above that threshold. And for the first time, these high earners will also have to pay a 3.8 percent assessment on unearned income such as stock dividends. If you have a Flexible Spending Account, starting this year you'll be able to contribute a maximum of $2,500 a year, adjusted annually by cost-of-living increases (until that date, the law allows employers to set the limit they choose.) 2014 Full reform starts. All citizens and legal residents will be required to have health coverage. Those who decline to purchase coverage will be charged a tax penalty. Exemptions will be available for reasons of financial hardship and other reasons. Every state will have an exchange where individuals and small businesses (up to 100 employees) can purchase coverage. All plans sold on the exchange must offer unlimited annual and lifetime coverage, and must offer a comprehensive set of "essential benefits." Insurers must sell individual or group coverage to anyone who wants it, regardless of pre-existing conditions. They can't charge people more, or limit coverage, on account of health status. Families and individuals who meet income requirements will receive subsidies in the form of refundable tax credits and reduced out-of-pocket costs in order to make required coverage more affordable. All individuals under 65 with an income of less than 133 percent of the federal poverty level will automatically be enrolled in Medicaid, even if they don't have dependent children.