Health Reform Provides Americans with More Stability and Security in Health Coverage

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March 22, 2010

Americans will enjoy more security and stability in their health coverage as a result of historic reform legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Sunday.

The plan, which now heads to the President's desk, keeps what is good in our health system and builds on it so that all people can have peace of mind in their health coverage.
 
For those who have health coverage, you will keep your doctor, but no longer have to worry about being denied care for a pre-existing condition or dropped when you get sick. Members of Congress will be required to be in the same plans as millions of Americans and small businesses.

Tax credits and other assistance will make health insurance more affordable for uninsured families and small businesses that have struggled in recent years to insure their hard-working employees.

Reform will also end the worst insurance abuses we have seen over the years, including pre-existing conditions, hidden ceilings in health coverage or dropped coverage when people get sick. People will no longer have to live in fear of being one illness away from bankruptcy.

Pennsylvanians with insurance and those without will see real benefits as a result of this legislation:

  • 8.1 million residents who have health care coverage through an employer or purchase it themselves will be better protected against insurance company abuses.
  • 3 million families will have access to tax credits and other assistance to help reduce the cost of their health care premiums.
  • 2.2 million senior citizens will have improved Medicare and pay less in prescription drug costs.
  • 262,800 small businesses will be eligible for tax credits to help pay the cost of health care for their employees.
  • 143,600 residents with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage.

View one-pagers on benefits of health reform for each of Pennsylvania's 19 Congressional Districts.

Access a press release put out today by the Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN), of which PBPC is a member.