What will the new health care law mean here in Washington State?
The new benefits and protections for residents of our state are spelled out in a three-page Special Report issued April 3 by the Democratic Policy Committee. Space limitations permit only the following brief summary. For a copy of the full report, contact us at editor@psara.org or by phone a (206) 448-9646.
The new legislation will:
• Narrow and within a few years close the “doughnut hole” and improve Medicare benefits for 897,000 Washington seniors.
• Reduce Medicare premiums for the 692,000 Washington seniors who are not enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. These seniors will no longer subsidize the private insurance plans.
• Ensure affordable coverage options for 811,000 uninsured Washingtonians and for 359,000 who purchase health insurance through the individual market.
• Prohibit insurance companies from excluding coverage of pre-existing conditions for the state’s 1.6 million children, starting this year.
• Provide tax credits for up to 102,719 of our state’s small businesses to help them afford coverage for their employees.
• Provide access to Medicaid for 411,076 newly-eligible Washingtonians and provide $3.9 billion in federal funding for the cost of their coverage, materially easing the state’s budget crisis.
•Provide more funding for the state’s 232 Community Health Centers, strengthening this ultimate safety net for uninsured men, women and children.
Back to Home
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
How will healthcare reform affect Medicare Part D? Perspective at: http://www.healthcaretownhall.com/?p=2515
ReplyDeleteThe new health care law will have significant impact on Medicare part D. Beginning in 2010, seniors who hit the "donut hole" will receive, automatically, a $250 rebate. There is no need to apply, it will happen automatically. Beginning in 2011, pharmaceutical manufacturers will be required to provide a 50% discount on brand-name prescriptions in the Medicare Part D coverage gap. and begin phasing in federal susidies for generic prescriptions. In 2013, the law begins phasing in federal subsidies for brand-name prescriptions filled in Medicare Part D "donut hole" in addition to the 50% manufacturer brand-name discount. In 2014, the law reduces the out-of-pocket amount that qualities an enrolle for catastrophic coverage until 2020 when the donut hole is totally eliminated.
ReplyDelete