Currently, 45 million Americans lack adequate insurance. Many are willing to pay for insurance, but cannot afford it. In contrast, others who work for large corporations or the government receive amazing insurance AT THE TAXPAYER’S EXPENSE. But regardless, for those 45 million Americans who do not have insurance, many will die or get gravely sick because they lack access to health care. The bill has a huge impact on patients with cancer and their treatment. Dr. Maurie Markman, from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses these positive ramifications in a internet video (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/718975) I know cancer patients are breathing easier, realizing they cannot get dropped from their insurance because of their difficult illnesses.
Daily in my work, I hear young and hard working parents report that they are not covered, or their insurance does not cover this or that condition since it is “pre-existing”. One young family reported that their family paid $20,000 in one year for their child’s medication for ADHD. Also, almost daily, I spend 10 to 15 minutes filling out forms and looking through medical records at the request of insurance companies to find out if a certain diagnosis occurred before a child was insured. Obviously, there is a great deal of insurance company money and time insurance companies put into denying people coverage instead of helping them with their health.
The American Academy of Pediatricians, the American College of Physicians, and the American Medical Association all back the current legislation. While the legislation did not address tort reform, I believe access to care will decrease the need for lawsuits. Many people sue physicians to help pay for medical expenses.
A helpful website to see what Health care reform means for each state is http://www.healthreform.gov/
In Tennessee, approximately 950,000 people will be able now to purchase insurance. 595,000 people will get tax cuts to help them purchase insurance. 995,000 seniors will receive preventive services through Medicare. 62,400 small businesses will get tax cuts to help make insurance more affordable to them.
Key points of the bill that go into effect immediately: