The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law one year ago today, March 23, 2010. The GOP may be campaigning to “repeal” and “replace” it … but thus far, they’ve offered up absolutely nothing of any substance whatsoever with which to replace provisions like:
- Small Businesses receive a tax credit when providing insurance
- Health coverage cannot be arbitrarily cancelled if you become sick
- (Newborn) Children cannot be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition
- Children up to age 26 can stay on parent’s health plan
- No annual/lifetime limits on health coverage (Annual limits are phased out over 3 years)
- Key preventive services will be available without a deductible or co-pay
- Patients have a right to choose their own doctor
- Options are improved for appealing insurance companies’ decisions
- Restrictions on emergency room care are ended
In this video, HHS Secretary Sebelius explains that we’ve begun to usher in a new era, where patients – not insurance companies – are in charge of their health care. And Americans are enjoying greater protections, new freedoms, and lower costs.