I Remember, Do You?
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Crooked Republicans Keith Oblermann
The Very Rich and the US Chamber of Commerce should not be allowed to buy the Republican Party by buying the Republicans and running advertisements that are nothing but lies. This type of behavior has to be stopped. Make sure you watch all of the show.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Vote Republican - Not Me - Here's Why
Voting Republican will be a very bad thing for Florida and the rest of our county. The Republicans came into office with a surplus of billions of dollars, the economy was good, and the people were feeling good about themselves.
After eight years of Republican control we lost the surplus and went 1.3 trillion dollars in debt, the economy was a total disaster, put us into two Wars that we should have been in and no one feels good about good about anything.
Then we elect President Obama and the very first thing the Republicans put on their agenda is “Make Obama Fail” at all costs and it’s the only thing on their agenda. If this is the mentally of the people that you want in office then you have only one choice, vote Republicans. Americans are better than that.
Just look at what the Republicans have picked for office, Christine O’Donnell for Delaware, Sharon Angle for Nevada, Rand Paul for Kentucky, and there are more ridiculous people. If this is the best that the Republican Party can do what is next? These people do not have a clue on what to or how to help the American People or our country. These are very good examples of how our school system has failed over the years. Another good example of the failed schooling system is the amount of people that believe what the Republicans saying and what they are doing to destroy our country. They believe the stuff that the Republicans make up, no common sense at all. The Republican does not want people that have an education just so they can keep power so they make all kinds of money from Wall Street Banker, Insurance Companies, Oil Companies and more.
The Republicans have been blocking each and everything that would help the American People. They have blocked;
• the money from the Republican Failed Wall Street Bankers,
• have blocked each and every unemployment claim that the unemployed needs to live on,
• have blocked every bill that would put American People back to work,
• have blocked every bill that would get money to small businesses,
• in fact the Republicans have block anything that was and is good for the American People.
President Obama went into office on January, 2009 and was handed an economy that was worse than the Depression of the 30’s. No one person could ever bring our economy into a forward motion within two years and especially with the treasonous actions of the Republican Party.
The Republicans lied about Health Care Reform Bill to keep it from passing and if they repeal Health Care Reform if they get back in power. They have said this many times over. What is it that they will repeal, if they took back power, well, the answer is:
They will be appealing:
1. Providing Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credits - Effective January 1, 2010
Up to 4 million small businesses are eligible for tax credits to help them provide insurance benefits to their workers. The first phase of this provision provides a credit worth up to 35% of the employer’s contribution to the employees’ health insurance. Small non-profit organizations may receive up to a 25% credit.
2. Allowing States to cover more People on Medicaid - Effective April 1, 2010
States will be able to receive federal matching funds for covering some additional low-income individuals and families under Medicaid for whom federal funds were not previously available. This will make it easier for states that choose to do so to cover more of their residents.
3. Relief for Four Million Seniors who hit the Medicare Prescription Drug “Donut Hole”.
First checks mailed in June, 2010, and will continue monthly throughout 2010 as seniors hit the coverage gap.
An estimated 4 million seniors will reach the gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage known as the “donut hole” this year. Each such senior will receive a $250 rebate.
4. Cracking Down on Health Care Fraud - Many Provisions Effective Now
Current efforts to fight fraud have returned more than $2.5 billion to the Medicare Trust Fund in FY 2009 alone. The new law invests new resources and requires new screening procedures for health care providers to boost these efforts and reduce fraud and waste in Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP.
5. Expanding Coverage for Early Retirees - Applications for employers to participate in the program available June 1, 2010.
Learn more about the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.
Too often, Americans who retire without employer-sponsored insurance and before they are eligible for Medicare see their life savings disappear because of high rates in the individual market. To preserve employer coverage for early retirees until more affordable coverage is available through the new Exchanges by 2014, the new law creates a $5 billion program to provide needed financial help for employment-based plans to continue to provide valuable coverage to people who retire between the ages of 55 and 65, as well as their spouses and dependents.
For more information on the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program, visit http://www.errp.gov/
6. Providing Access to Insurance for Uninsured Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions - National Program Established July 1, 2010
A Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan will provide new coverage options to individuals who have been uninsured for at least six months because of a pre-existing condition. States have the option of running this new program in their state. If a state chooses not to do so, a plan will be established by the Department of Health and Human Services in that state. This program serves as a bridge to 2014, when all discrimination against pre-existing conditions will be prohibited. Learn more about the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan.
7. Putting Information Online - Effective July 1, 2010
The law provides for an easy-to-use website where consumers can compare health insurance coverage options and pick the coverage that works for them.
8. Extending Coverage for Young Adults - Effective health Care plans beginning on or after September 23, 2010
Under the new law, young adults will be allowed to stay on their parent’s plan until they turn 26 years old. (In the case of existing group health plans, this right does not apply if the young adult is offered insurance at work.) Some insurers began implementing this practice early. Check with your insurance company or employer to see if you qualify. Learn more about the young adults insurance policy.
9. Providing Free Preventive Care - Effective health Care plans beginning on or after September 23, 2010
All new plans must cover certain preventive services such as mammograms and colonoscopies without charging a deductible, co-pay or coinsurance.
Learn more about preventive care benefits.
10. Preventing Insurance from Rescinding Coverage - Effective for Health Care plans years beginning on or after September 23, 2010
In the past, insurance companies could search for an error, or other technical mistake, on a customer’s application and use this error to deny payment for services when he or she got sick. The new law makes this illegal. After media reports cited incidents of breast cancer patients losing coverage, insurance companies agreed to end this practice immediately.
Learn about how the law curbs insurance cancellations.
11. Appealing Insurance Company Decisions - Effective for new plans years beginning on or after September 23, 2010
The law provides consumers with a way to appeal coverage determinations or claims to their insurance company, and establishes an external review process.
12. Eliminating Lifetime Limits on Insurance Coverage - Effective for Health Care years beginning on or after September 23, 2010
Under the new law, insurance companies will be prohibited from imposing lifetime dollar limits on essential benefits, like hospital stays.
Learn about how the law eliminates lifetime limits.
13. Regulating Annual Limits on Insurance Coverage - Effective for Health Care years beginning on or after September 23, 2010
Under the new law, insurance companies’ use of annual dollar limits on the amount of insurance coverage a patient may receive will be restricted for new plans in the individual market and all group plans. In 2014, the use of annual dollar limits on essential benefits like hospital stays will be banned for new plans in the individual market and all group plans.
Learn about how the law regulates annual limits.
14. Prohibiting Denying Children Based on Pre-Existing Conditions - Effective for Health Care years beginning on or after September 23, 2010 for new plans and for existing Group Plans
The new law includes new rules to prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to children under the age of 19 due to a pre-existing condition.
Learn how the law protects children with pre-existing conditions.
15. Holding Insurance Companies Accountable for Unreasonable Rate Hikes - Grants will be awarded beginning 2010
The law allows states that have, or plan to implement, measures that require insurance companies to justify their premium increases to be eligible for $250 million in new grants. Insurance companies with excessive or unjustified premium increases may not be able to participate in the new health insurance Exchanges in 2014.
Learn how the law ensures value and accountability for your premiums.
16. Rebuilding the Primary Care Workforce - Effective 2010
To strengthen the availability of primary care, there are new incentives in the law to expand the number of primary care doctors, nurses and physician assistants, including funding for scholarships and loan repayments for primary care doctors and nurses working in underserved areas. Doctors and nurses receiving payments made under any State loan repayment or loan forgiveness program intended to increase the availability of health care services in underserved or health professional shortage areas will not have to pay taxes on those payments.
17. Preventing Disease and Illness - Funding begins 2010
A new $15 billion Prevention and Public Health Fund will invest in proven prevention and public health programs that can help keep Americans healthy – from smoking cessation to combating obesity.
18. Strengthening Community Health Centers - Effective 2010
The law includes new funding to support the construction of and expansion of services at community health centers, allowing these centers to serve some 20 million new patients across the country.
19. Payments for Rural Health Care Providers - Effective 2010
Today, 68% of medically underserved communities across the nation are in rural areas, and these communities often have trouble attracting and retaining medical professionals. The law provides increased payment to rural health care providers to help them continue to serve their communities.
20. Prescription Drug Discounts - Effective January 1, 2011
Seniors who reach the coverage gap will receive a 50 percent discount when buying Medicare Part D covered brand-name prescription drugs. Over the next ten years, seniors will receive additional savings on brand-name and generic drugs until the coverage gap is closed in 2020.
21. Free Preventive Care for Seniors - Effective January 1, 2011
The law provides certain free preventive services, such as annual wellness visits and personalized prevention plans, for seniors on Medicare.
22. Bring Down Health Care Premiums - The Rebate Program begins January 1, 2011
To ensure premium dollars are spent primarily on health care, the new law generally requires that at least 85% of all premium dollars collected by insurance companies for large employer plans are spent on health care services and health care quality improvement. For plans sold to individuals and small employers, at least 80% of the premium must be spent on benefits and quality improvement. If insurance companies do not meet these goals because their administrative costs or profits are too high, they must provide rebates to consumers.
23. Addressing Overpayment to big Insurance Companies and Strengthening Medicare Advantage - Effective January 1, 2010
Today, Medicare pays Medicare Advantage insurance companies over $1,000 more per person on average than is spent per person in Original Medicare. This results in increased premiums for all Medicare beneficiaries, including the 77 percent of beneficiaries who are not currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. The new law levels the playing field by gradually eliminating this discrepancy. People enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan will still receive all guaranteed Medicare benefits, and the law provides bonus payments to Medicare Advantage plans that provide high quality care. Learn more about improvements to Medicare.
24. Improving Health Care Quality and Efficiency - Effective no later than January 1, 2010
The law establishes a new Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation that will begin testing new ways of delivering care to patients. These new methods are expected to improve the quality of care and reduce the rate of growth in costs for Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). By January 1, 2011, HHS will submit a national strategy for quality improvement in health care, including these programs.
25. Improving Care for Seniors After they Leave Hospital - Effective January 1, 2010
The Community Care Transitions Program will help high-risk Medicare beneficiaries who are hospitalized avoid unnecessary readmissions by coordinating care and connecting patients to services in their communities.
26. New Innovations to Bring Down Costs - Administrative Funding Becomes Available October 1, 2011
The Independent Payment Advisory Board will begin operations to develop and submit proposals to Congress and the President aimed at extending the life of the Medicare Trust Fund. The Board is expected to focus on ways to target waste in the system, and recommend ways to reduce costs, improve health outcomes for patients, and expand access to high-quality care.
27. Increases Services at Home and in the Community - Beginning Effective October 1, 2011
The new Community First Choice Option allows States to offer home and community based services to disabled individuals through Medicaid rather than institutional care in nursing homes.
28. Encouraging Integrated Health Systems - Effective January 1, 2012
The new law provides incentives for physicians to join together to form “Accountable Care Organizations.” In these groups, doctors can better coordinate patient care and improve the quality, help prevent disease and illness, and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions. If Accountable Care Organizations provide high quality care and reduce costs to the health care system, they can keep some of the money that they have helped save.
29. Understanding and Fighting Health Disparities - Effective March 2012
To help understand and reduce persistent health disparities, the law requires any ongoing or new Federal health program to collect and report racial, ethnic and language data. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will use this data to help identify and reduce disparities.
30. Providing New, Voluntary Options for Long-Term Care Insurance - Benefit Plan no Later than October 1, 2012
The law creates a voluntary long-term care insurance program – called CLASS -- to provide cash benefits to adults who become disabled.
31. Reducing Paperwork and Administration Costs - First Regulation Effective October 1, 2012
Health care remains one of the few industries that relies on paper records. The new law will institute a series of changes to standardize billing and requires health plans to begin adopting and implementing rules for the secure, confidential, electronic exchange of health information. Using electronic health records will reduce paperwork and administrative burdens, cut costs, reduce medical errors and, most importantly, improve the quality of care.
32. Linking Payment to Quality Outcome - Effective for payment for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2012
The law establishes a hospital Value-Based Purchasing program (VBP) in Original Medicare. This program offers financial incentives to hospitals to improve the quality of care. Hospital performance is required to be publicly reported, beginning with measures relating to heart attacks, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, health-care associated infections, and patients’ perception of care.
33. Improving Preventive Health Coverage - Effective January 1, 2013
To expand the number of Americans receiving preventive care, the law provides new funding to state Medicaid programs that choose to cover preventive services for patients at little or no cost.
34. Increasing Medicaid Payments for Primary Care Doctors - Effective January 1, 2013
As Medicaid programs and providers prepare to cover more patients in 2014, the Act requires states to pay primary care physicians no less than 100 percent of Medicare payment rates in 2013 and 2014 for primary care services. The increase is fully funded by the federal government.
35. Expand Authority Bundle Payments - Effective no later than January 1, 2013
The law establishes a national pilot program to encourage hospitals, doctors, and other providers to work together to improve the coordination and quality of patient care. Under payment “bundling,” hospitals, doctors, and providers are paid a flat rate for an episode of care rather than the current fragmented system where each service or test or bundles of items or services are billed separately to Medicare. For example, instead of a surgical procedure generating multiple claims from multiple providers, the entire team is compensated with a “bundled” payment that provides incentives to deliver health care services more efficiently while maintaining or improving quality of care. It aligns the incentives of those delivering care, and savings are shared between providers and the Medicare program.
36. Additional Funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) - Effective October 1, 2013
Under the new law, states will receive two more years of funding to continue coverage for children not eligible for Medicaid.
37. Establishing Health Insurance Exchanges - Effective January 1, 2014
Starting in 2014 if your employer doesn’t offer insurance, you will be able to buy insurance directly in an Exchange -- a new transparent and competitive insurance marketplace where individuals and small businesses can buy affordable and qualified health benefit plans. Exchanges will offer you a choice of health plans that meet certain benefits and cost standards. Starting in 2014, Members of Congress will be getting their health care insurance through Exchanges, and you will be able buy your insurance through Exchanges too.
38. Promoting Individual Responsibility - Effective January 1, 2014
Under the new law, most individuals who can afford it will be required to obtain basic health insurance coverage or pay a fee to help offset the costs of caring for uninsured Americans. If affordable coverage is not available to an individual, he or she will be eligible for an exemption.
39. Ensuring Free Choice - Effective January 1, 2014
Workers meeting certain requirements who cannot afford the coverage provided by their employer may take whatever funds their employer might have contributed to their insurance and use these resources to help purchase a more affordable plan in the new health insurance Exchanges. These new competitive marketplaces will allow individuals and small businesses to buy qualified health benefit plans. Starting in 2014, Members of Congress will be getting their health care insurance through Exchanges and all Americans will have the choice of buying insurance through them, too.
40. Increasing Access to Medicaid - Effective January 1, 2014
Americans who earn less than 133 percent of the poverty level (approximately $14,000 for an individual and $29,000 for a family of four) will be eligible to enroll in Medicaid. States will receive 100 percent federal funding for the first three years to support this expanded coverage, phasing to 90 percent federal funding in subsequent years.
41. Makes Care More Affordable - Effective January 1, 2014
Tax credits to make it easier for the middle class to afford insurance will become available for people with incomes above 100 percent and below 400 percent of poverty ($43,000 for an individual or $88,000 for a family of four in 2010) who are not eligible for or offered other affordable coverage. These individuals may also qualify for reduced cost-sharing (e.g. copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles).
42. Ensuring Coverage for Individuals Participating in Clinical Trials - Effective January 1, 2014
Insurers will be prohibited from dropping or limiting coverage because an individual chooses to participate in a clinical trial. This applies to all clinical trials that treat cancer or other life-threatening diseases.
43. Eliminating Annual Limits on Insurance Coverage - Effective January 1, 2014
The law prohibits new plans and existing group plans from imposing annual dollar limits on the amount of coverage an individual may receive.
44. No Discrimination due to Pre-Existing Conditions or Gender - Effective January 1, 2014
The law implements strong reforms that prohibit insurance companies from refusing to sell coverage or renew policies because of an individual’s pre-existing conditions. Also, in the individual and small group market, it eliminates the ability of insurance companies to charge higher rates due to gender or health status.
45. Increasing Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credits - Effective January 1, 2014
The law implements the second phase of the small business tax credit for qualified small businesses and small non-profit organizations. In this phase, the credit is up to 50 percent of the employer’s contribution to provide health insurance for employees. There is also up to a 35 percent credit for small non-profit organizations.
46. Paying Physicians on Value Not Volume - Effective January 1, 2015
A new provision will tie physician payments to the quality of care they provide. Physicians will see their payments modified so that those who provide higher value care will receive higher payments than those who provide lower quality care.
Now with everything moving in the right direction, why would anyone want to repeal all of this – only because of the bottom line, over money? The insurance companies were spending over a million dollars a day to stop Health Care Reform and the Republicans were benefiting from that and when they were losing the battle, then the insurance companies started spending two millions a day to defeat the Health Care Reform. You have got to ask yourself why insurance companies would spend that much money to defeat the Health Care Reform Bill. That’s easy, denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions and dropping people from insurance once a claim comes in, limit the amount of money spent on claims saves the insurance companies billions of dollars. No regulations make good sense for the insurance companies but not for the American People.
Now the Republicans are getting big bucks to defeat everyone that fought for Health Care Reform, Wall Street Reform and Oil Spill Regulations. That’s right; the money is coming from these people that cause the Oil Spill, Economy Collapse, and our failing Health Care System. How stupid do these people think we are?
After what the Wall Street Banker, Insurance Companies, the Oil Companies, and the Republicans have put us through, why would anyone vote for any Republican? It is time to get rid of all of them, period.
After eight years of Republican control we lost the surplus and went 1.3 trillion dollars in debt, the economy was a total disaster, put us into two Wars that we should have been in and no one feels good about good about anything.
Then we elect President Obama and the very first thing the Republicans put on their agenda is “Make Obama Fail” at all costs and it’s the only thing on their agenda. If this is the mentally of the people that you want in office then you have only one choice, vote Republicans. Americans are better than that.
Just look at what the Republicans have picked for office, Christine O’Donnell for Delaware, Sharon Angle for Nevada, Rand Paul for Kentucky, and there are more ridiculous people. If this is the best that the Republican Party can do what is next? These people do not have a clue on what to or how to help the American People or our country. These are very good examples of how our school system has failed over the years. Another good example of the failed schooling system is the amount of people that believe what the Republicans saying and what they are doing to destroy our country. They believe the stuff that the Republicans make up, no common sense at all. The Republican does not want people that have an education just so they can keep power so they make all kinds of money from Wall Street Banker, Insurance Companies, Oil Companies and more.
The Republicans have been blocking each and everything that would help the American People. They have blocked;
• the money from the Republican Failed Wall Street Bankers,
• have blocked each and every unemployment claim that the unemployed needs to live on,
• have blocked every bill that would put American People back to work,
• have blocked every bill that would get money to small businesses,
• in fact the Republicans have block anything that was and is good for the American People.
President Obama went into office on January, 2009 and was handed an economy that was worse than the Depression of the 30’s. No one person could ever bring our economy into a forward motion within two years and especially with the treasonous actions of the Republican Party.
The Republicans lied about Health Care Reform Bill to keep it from passing and if they repeal Health Care Reform if they get back in power. They have said this many times over. What is it that they will repeal, if they took back power, well, the answer is:
They will be appealing:
1. Providing Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credits - Effective January 1, 2010
Up to 4 million small businesses are eligible for tax credits to help them provide insurance benefits to their workers. The first phase of this provision provides a credit worth up to 35% of the employer’s contribution to the employees’ health insurance. Small non-profit organizations may receive up to a 25% credit.
2. Allowing States to cover more People on Medicaid - Effective April 1, 2010
States will be able to receive federal matching funds for covering some additional low-income individuals and families under Medicaid for whom federal funds were not previously available. This will make it easier for states that choose to do so to cover more of their residents.
3. Relief for Four Million Seniors who hit the Medicare Prescription Drug “Donut Hole”.
First checks mailed in June, 2010, and will continue monthly throughout 2010 as seniors hit the coverage gap.
An estimated 4 million seniors will reach the gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage known as the “donut hole” this year. Each such senior will receive a $250 rebate.
4. Cracking Down on Health Care Fraud - Many Provisions Effective Now
Current efforts to fight fraud have returned more than $2.5 billion to the Medicare Trust Fund in FY 2009 alone. The new law invests new resources and requires new screening procedures for health care providers to boost these efforts and reduce fraud and waste in Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP.
5. Expanding Coverage for Early Retirees - Applications for employers to participate in the program available June 1, 2010.
Learn more about the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.
Too often, Americans who retire without employer-sponsored insurance and before they are eligible for Medicare see their life savings disappear because of high rates in the individual market. To preserve employer coverage for early retirees until more affordable coverage is available through the new Exchanges by 2014, the new law creates a $5 billion program to provide needed financial help for employment-based plans to continue to provide valuable coverage to people who retire between the ages of 55 and 65, as well as their spouses and dependents.
For more information on the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program, visit http://www.errp.gov/
6. Providing Access to Insurance for Uninsured Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions - National Program Established July 1, 2010
A Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan will provide new coverage options to individuals who have been uninsured for at least six months because of a pre-existing condition. States have the option of running this new program in their state. If a state chooses not to do so, a plan will be established by the Department of Health and Human Services in that state. This program serves as a bridge to 2014, when all discrimination against pre-existing conditions will be prohibited. Learn more about the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan.
7. Putting Information Online - Effective July 1, 2010
The law provides for an easy-to-use website where consumers can compare health insurance coverage options and pick the coverage that works for them.
8. Extending Coverage for Young Adults - Effective health Care plans beginning on or after September 23, 2010
Under the new law, young adults will be allowed to stay on their parent’s plan until they turn 26 years old. (In the case of existing group health plans, this right does not apply if the young adult is offered insurance at work.) Some insurers began implementing this practice early. Check with your insurance company or employer to see if you qualify. Learn more about the young adults insurance policy.
9. Providing Free Preventive Care - Effective health Care plans beginning on or after September 23, 2010
All new plans must cover certain preventive services such as mammograms and colonoscopies without charging a deductible, co-pay or coinsurance.
Learn more about preventive care benefits.
10. Preventing Insurance from Rescinding Coverage - Effective for Health Care plans years beginning on or after September 23, 2010
In the past, insurance companies could search for an error, or other technical mistake, on a customer’s application and use this error to deny payment for services when he or she got sick. The new law makes this illegal. After media reports cited incidents of breast cancer patients losing coverage, insurance companies agreed to end this practice immediately.
Learn about how the law curbs insurance cancellations.
11. Appealing Insurance Company Decisions - Effective for new plans years beginning on or after September 23, 2010
The law provides consumers with a way to appeal coverage determinations or claims to their insurance company, and establishes an external review process.
12. Eliminating Lifetime Limits on Insurance Coverage - Effective for Health Care years beginning on or after September 23, 2010
Under the new law, insurance companies will be prohibited from imposing lifetime dollar limits on essential benefits, like hospital stays.
Learn about how the law eliminates lifetime limits.
13. Regulating Annual Limits on Insurance Coverage - Effective for Health Care years beginning on or after September 23, 2010
Under the new law, insurance companies’ use of annual dollar limits on the amount of insurance coverage a patient may receive will be restricted for new plans in the individual market and all group plans. In 2014, the use of annual dollar limits on essential benefits like hospital stays will be banned for new plans in the individual market and all group plans.
Learn about how the law regulates annual limits.
14. Prohibiting Denying Children Based on Pre-Existing Conditions - Effective for Health Care years beginning on or after September 23, 2010 for new plans and for existing Group Plans
The new law includes new rules to prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to children under the age of 19 due to a pre-existing condition.
Learn how the law protects children with pre-existing conditions.
15. Holding Insurance Companies Accountable for Unreasonable Rate Hikes - Grants will be awarded beginning 2010
The law allows states that have, or plan to implement, measures that require insurance companies to justify their premium increases to be eligible for $250 million in new grants. Insurance companies with excessive or unjustified premium increases may not be able to participate in the new health insurance Exchanges in 2014.
Learn how the law ensures value and accountability for your premiums.
16. Rebuilding the Primary Care Workforce - Effective 2010
To strengthen the availability of primary care, there are new incentives in the law to expand the number of primary care doctors, nurses and physician assistants, including funding for scholarships and loan repayments for primary care doctors and nurses working in underserved areas. Doctors and nurses receiving payments made under any State loan repayment or loan forgiveness program intended to increase the availability of health care services in underserved or health professional shortage areas will not have to pay taxes on those payments.
17. Preventing Disease and Illness - Funding begins 2010
A new $15 billion Prevention and Public Health Fund will invest in proven prevention and public health programs that can help keep Americans healthy – from smoking cessation to combating obesity.
18. Strengthening Community Health Centers - Effective 2010
The law includes new funding to support the construction of and expansion of services at community health centers, allowing these centers to serve some 20 million new patients across the country.
19. Payments for Rural Health Care Providers - Effective 2010
Today, 68% of medically underserved communities across the nation are in rural areas, and these communities often have trouble attracting and retaining medical professionals. The law provides increased payment to rural health care providers to help them continue to serve their communities.
20. Prescription Drug Discounts - Effective January 1, 2011
Seniors who reach the coverage gap will receive a 50 percent discount when buying Medicare Part D covered brand-name prescription drugs. Over the next ten years, seniors will receive additional savings on brand-name and generic drugs until the coverage gap is closed in 2020.
21. Free Preventive Care for Seniors - Effective January 1, 2011
The law provides certain free preventive services, such as annual wellness visits and personalized prevention plans, for seniors on Medicare.
22. Bring Down Health Care Premiums - The Rebate Program begins January 1, 2011
To ensure premium dollars are spent primarily on health care, the new law generally requires that at least 85% of all premium dollars collected by insurance companies for large employer plans are spent on health care services and health care quality improvement. For plans sold to individuals and small employers, at least 80% of the premium must be spent on benefits and quality improvement. If insurance companies do not meet these goals because their administrative costs or profits are too high, they must provide rebates to consumers.
23. Addressing Overpayment to big Insurance Companies and Strengthening Medicare Advantage - Effective January 1, 2010
Today, Medicare pays Medicare Advantage insurance companies over $1,000 more per person on average than is spent per person in Original Medicare. This results in increased premiums for all Medicare beneficiaries, including the 77 percent of beneficiaries who are not currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. The new law levels the playing field by gradually eliminating this discrepancy. People enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan will still receive all guaranteed Medicare benefits, and the law provides bonus payments to Medicare Advantage plans that provide high quality care. Learn more about improvements to Medicare.
24. Improving Health Care Quality and Efficiency - Effective no later than January 1, 2010
The law establishes a new Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation that will begin testing new ways of delivering care to patients. These new methods are expected to improve the quality of care and reduce the rate of growth in costs for Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). By January 1, 2011, HHS will submit a national strategy for quality improvement in health care, including these programs.
25. Improving Care for Seniors After they Leave Hospital - Effective January 1, 2010
The Community Care Transitions Program will help high-risk Medicare beneficiaries who are hospitalized avoid unnecessary readmissions by coordinating care and connecting patients to services in their communities.
26. New Innovations to Bring Down Costs - Administrative Funding Becomes Available October 1, 2011
The Independent Payment Advisory Board will begin operations to develop and submit proposals to Congress and the President aimed at extending the life of the Medicare Trust Fund. The Board is expected to focus on ways to target waste in the system, and recommend ways to reduce costs, improve health outcomes for patients, and expand access to high-quality care.
27. Increases Services at Home and in the Community - Beginning Effective October 1, 2011
The new Community First Choice Option allows States to offer home and community based services to disabled individuals through Medicaid rather than institutional care in nursing homes.
28. Encouraging Integrated Health Systems - Effective January 1, 2012
The new law provides incentives for physicians to join together to form “Accountable Care Organizations.” In these groups, doctors can better coordinate patient care and improve the quality, help prevent disease and illness, and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions. If Accountable Care Organizations provide high quality care and reduce costs to the health care system, they can keep some of the money that they have helped save.
29. Understanding and Fighting Health Disparities - Effective March 2012
To help understand and reduce persistent health disparities, the law requires any ongoing or new Federal health program to collect and report racial, ethnic and language data. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will use this data to help identify and reduce disparities.
30. Providing New, Voluntary Options for Long-Term Care Insurance - Benefit Plan no Later than October 1, 2012
The law creates a voluntary long-term care insurance program – called CLASS -- to provide cash benefits to adults who become disabled.
31. Reducing Paperwork and Administration Costs - First Regulation Effective October 1, 2012
Health care remains one of the few industries that relies on paper records. The new law will institute a series of changes to standardize billing and requires health plans to begin adopting and implementing rules for the secure, confidential, electronic exchange of health information. Using electronic health records will reduce paperwork and administrative burdens, cut costs, reduce medical errors and, most importantly, improve the quality of care.
32. Linking Payment to Quality Outcome - Effective for payment for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2012
The law establishes a hospital Value-Based Purchasing program (VBP) in Original Medicare. This program offers financial incentives to hospitals to improve the quality of care. Hospital performance is required to be publicly reported, beginning with measures relating to heart attacks, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, health-care associated infections, and patients’ perception of care.
33. Improving Preventive Health Coverage - Effective January 1, 2013
To expand the number of Americans receiving preventive care, the law provides new funding to state Medicaid programs that choose to cover preventive services for patients at little or no cost.
34. Increasing Medicaid Payments for Primary Care Doctors - Effective January 1, 2013
As Medicaid programs and providers prepare to cover more patients in 2014, the Act requires states to pay primary care physicians no less than 100 percent of Medicare payment rates in 2013 and 2014 for primary care services. The increase is fully funded by the federal government.
35. Expand Authority Bundle Payments - Effective no later than January 1, 2013
The law establishes a national pilot program to encourage hospitals, doctors, and other providers to work together to improve the coordination and quality of patient care. Under payment “bundling,” hospitals, doctors, and providers are paid a flat rate for an episode of care rather than the current fragmented system where each service or test or bundles of items or services are billed separately to Medicare. For example, instead of a surgical procedure generating multiple claims from multiple providers, the entire team is compensated with a “bundled” payment that provides incentives to deliver health care services more efficiently while maintaining or improving quality of care. It aligns the incentives of those delivering care, and savings are shared between providers and the Medicare program.
36. Additional Funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) - Effective October 1, 2013
Under the new law, states will receive two more years of funding to continue coverage for children not eligible for Medicaid.
37. Establishing Health Insurance Exchanges - Effective January 1, 2014
Starting in 2014 if your employer doesn’t offer insurance, you will be able to buy insurance directly in an Exchange -- a new transparent and competitive insurance marketplace where individuals and small businesses can buy affordable and qualified health benefit plans. Exchanges will offer you a choice of health plans that meet certain benefits and cost standards. Starting in 2014, Members of Congress will be getting their health care insurance through Exchanges, and you will be able buy your insurance through Exchanges too.
38. Promoting Individual Responsibility - Effective January 1, 2014
Under the new law, most individuals who can afford it will be required to obtain basic health insurance coverage or pay a fee to help offset the costs of caring for uninsured Americans. If affordable coverage is not available to an individual, he or she will be eligible for an exemption.
39. Ensuring Free Choice - Effective January 1, 2014
Workers meeting certain requirements who cannot afford the coverage provided by their employer may take whatever funds their employer might have contributed to their insurance and use these resources to help purchase a more affordable plan in the new health insurance Exchanges. These new competitive marketplaces will allow individuals and small businesses to buy qualified health benefit plans. Starting in 2014, Members of Congress will be getting their health care insurance through Exchanges and all Americans will have the choice of buying insurance through them, too.
40. Increasing Access to Medicaid - Effective January 1, 2014
Americans who earn less than 133 percent of the poverty level (approximately $14,000 for an individual and $29,000 for a family of four) will be eligible to enroll in Medicaid. States will receive 100 percent federal funding for the first three years to support this expanded coverage, phasing to 90 percent federal funding in subsequent years.
41. Makes Care More Affordable - Effective January 1, 2014
Tax credits to make it easier for the middle class to afford insurance will become available for people with incomes above 100 percent and below 400 percent of poverty ($43,000 for an individual or $88,000 for a family of four in 2010) who are not eligible for or offered other affordable coverage. These individuals may also qualify for reduced cost-sharing (e.g. copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles).
42. Ensuring Coverage for Individuals Participating in Clinical Trials - Effective January 1, 2014
Insurers will be prohibited from dropping or limiting coverage because an individual chooses to participate in a clinical trial. This applies to all clinical trials that treat cancer or other life-threatening diseases.
43. Eliminating Annual Limits on Insurance Coverage - Effective January 1, 2014
The law prohibits new plans and existing group plans from imposing annual dollar limits on the amount of coverage an individual may receive.
44. No Discrimination due to Pre-Existing Conditions or Gender - Effective January 1, 2014
The law implements strong reforms that prohibit insurance companies from refusing to sell coverage or renew policies because of an individual’s pre-existing conditions. Also, in the individual and small group market, it eliminates the ability of insurance companies to charge higher rates due to gender or health status.
45. Increasing Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credits - Effective January 1, 2014
The law implements the second phase of the small business tax credit for qualified small businesses and small non-profit organizations. In this phase, the credit is up to 50 percent of the employer’s contribution to provide health insurance for employees. There is also up to a 35 percent credit for small non-profit organizations.
46. Paying Physicians on Value Not Volume - Effective January 1, 2015
A new provision will tie physician payments to the quality of care they provide. Physicians will see their payments modified so that those who provide higher value care will receive higher payments than those who provide lower quality care.
Now with everything moving in the right direction, why would anyone want to repeal all of this – only because of the bottom line, over money? The insurance companies were spending over a million dollars a day to stop Health Care Reform and the Republicans were benefiting from that and when they were losing the battle, then the insurance companies started spending two millions a day to defeat the Health Care Reform. You have got to ask yourself why insurance companies would spend that much money to defeat the Health Care Reform Bill. That’s easy, denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions and dropping people from insurance once a claim comes in, limit the amount of money spent on claims saves the insurance companies billions of dollars. No regulations make good sense for the insurance companies but not for the American People.
Now the Republicans are getting big bucks to defeat everyone that fought for Health Care Reform, Wall Street Reform and Oil Spill Regulations. That’s right; the money is coming from these people that cause the Oil Spill, Economy Collapse, and our failing Health Care System. How stupid do these people think we are?
After what the Wall Street Banker, Insurance Companies, the Oil Companies, and the Republicans have put us through, why would anyone vote for any Republican? It is time to get rid of all of them, period.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Admendments 5 and 6
Admendments 5 and 6 are on the ballot this election to break the unfair districts.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
White House White Board: CEA Chair Austan Goolsbee Explains the Tax Cut Fight
Today we're trying out something new -- White House White Board, in which one of our key players on the White House team will cut through the political back-and-forth you hear every day and break down an issue affecting American families into simple, understandable terms. Today, Austan Goolsbee, the new Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers here at the White House, tackles the tax cut fight and what it means that Congressional Republicans are "holding middle class tax cuts hostage" as the President has said.
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