THE LATEST VERSION OF A PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS….THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE

CARE ACT

By: Amy Lynn DikeProfessional Practices in Healthcare

June 2012

History of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:

Commonly referred to as “Obamacare” Signed into law on March 23, 2010 by

President Barack Obama. First law signed into action that will

provide ALL Americans with healthcare coverage.

What is the Affordable Healthcare Act?

Children can stay on their parents healthcare plan until they reach 26 years old.

Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees can now get help paying the cost of the healthcare plan

Insurance companies CANNOT deny children with pre-existing conditions for health insurance

Adults who have been uninsured for 6 months that were denied health coverage because of a pre-existing condition now become eligible for healthcare.

Insurance companies can no longer place a dollar amount on the coverage you receive through-out your lifetime.

Those with Medicare can now receive screenings such as colonoscopies and mammograms free of charge.

The Affordable Care Act by Section:

Affordable + Quality Healthcare for all Americans

Extension of Medicaid to more people Preservation of Medicare for senior citizens Promotion of prevention, wellness, and good

public health Safer nursing homes and piece of mind for

families Money saved by business owners, lower

income families, and our government http://www.healthcare.gov/law/full/

Affordability + Quality Healthcare for All Americans

Allows individuals, families, and small business owners to take control of their healthcare

Reduces premium costs for millions of working families and small businesses by slashing hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes.

Allows people to keep insurance coverage they already have if they choose to do so.

Reduces out of pocket expenses and requires preventative care to be fully covered

People without coverage will be able to choose the insurance policy that works best for them through a new, competitive insurance market.

Extension of Medicaid:

Under the Affordable Care Act Medicaid will be extended.

More people will become eligible. Children’s insurance coverage preserved. Better care for Americans with

disabilities. Expanded home care service to those

with long-term healthcare needs.

Medicare for Senior Citizens:

Save thousands of dollars on the cost of prescription medications.

Incentives for doctors, nurses, and hospitals for improved care and reduction in errors that harm patients.

Ends overpayments to insurance companies that cost American taxpayers billions of dollars each year.

Promotion Of Wellness, Better Public Health, and Disease Prevention

The Affordable Care Act will provide funding to the commitment of disease prevention and promote wellness and public health, providing a reduction in the number of disabilities and preventable illnesses in the United States.

Co-payments for prevention and screening of elderly people on Medicare are waived.

Nursing Homes + Access To More Information

Provides nursing home staff with enhanced and continuous training, thus improving quality of care for patients.

Promotes nursing home safety; requiring background checks for employees, self correction of staff when errors are made, and initiating programs that prevent elder abuse.

Imposes disclosure requirements, identifying providers who defraud American taxpayers.

Prevents providers from operating in new states after being penalized in another.

OPPOSING VIEWPOINT

Although this Healthcare reform act has been praised by many, there are people who believe that this law violates Constitutional Rights.

The Affordable Care Act does state that all people of America must select a healthcare plan, by 2014, if they do not already have one by their employer.

Those that do not agree with the Act believe that President Obama is abusing his power, and that he should have no right in deciding that people must have healthcare, and that people will suffer a tax because of the Act.

SUPREME COURT RULING

On June 28th, 2012 the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Affordable Care Act. Stating that “the individual health insurance mandate is Constitutional.”

VERMONT LEADS THE WAY

Vermont is one of the first states to implement the single payer healthcare provision under the Affordable Care Act.

Governor Peter Shumlin signed the “framework” for single payer health insurance on May 26th.

Although it will take sometime, it is expected that the insurance could be available by 2017 as soon as the model has been created.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Everyone is different. We all form our own opinions and decide what is best for ourselves. I not only believe in President Barack Obama, but I also believe that the Affordable Care Act is a brilliant idea and will one day prove to be a great success for America.

MLA:

"What Is the Affordable Care Act?" Health Care and You. The Healthcare and You Coalition, 2012. Web. 28 June 2012. <http://www.healthcareandyou.org/what-is/>.

Siegel, Elyse. "Supreme Court Rules On Affordable Care Act (LIVE UPDATES)." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 28 June 2012. Web. 28 June 2012. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/28/supreme-court-affordable-care-act_n_1623122.html>.

MLA:

"Read the Law." Healthcare.gov. U.S. Department of Health + Human Services, 2012. Web. 28 June 2012. <http://www.healthcare.gov/law/full/>.

"A More Secure Future." Health Care That Works for Americans. The White House, 2012. Web. 28 June 2012. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/healthcare-overview>.