In just 180 days those adults who have been denied health care coverage due to pre-existing conditions (AS) will be able to receive coverage through a special provision of the new health care law (this provision is in place until 2014 when insurance companies will no longer be able to deny people coverage due to pre-existing conditions -- children with pre-existing conditions will be able to get coverage almost immediately -- 90 days after the president signs the bill into law).

I can't tell you how happy this makes me. In just 180 days I'll be able to see a doctor about my AS and perhaps get LDN to help with the pain or perhaps something stronger!

Starting immediately, no one can be dropped from their plans due to being sick or using their health care coverage; parents can keep their kids on their plans until age 26; seniors on Medicare will receive $250 to help pay for prescriptions; and the "donut hole" in prescription coverage begins to shrink this year and will continue to shrink until it's eliminated in 2014. There are a lot of good things in this law that begin immediately but I forget the other ones; there are lists on-line somewhere of exactly what starts when. But as for me, after 11 years of having no insurance coverage, living without a safety net, I'll finally be able to get coverage. Sigh. Oh happy day.

Pete, my sweetie and I cheered yesterday as we watched the news, for those of you who will benefit from this new legislation.

Warm hugs,

That's great news, Pete. How much irreversible damage do you feel you have from your AS? Have you been unable to work because of it?

This is wonderful news for you and everyone who will benefit from these changes.
It has been a long time coming but glad it is finaly on the way.
Good luck to you and hope this allows you to get some relief.

Great news that you will be covered by health insurance - only sorry you have to wait 180 days still to see a doctor
Hope your AS has not deteriorated to a great extent while you have had this long wait to be seen.
You must be very excited that you can see a light at the end of the tunnel though - what a huge relief!
Take care.

Is there any information about how much the insurance will cost? Does it help to say they have to cover people with preexisting conditions if the insurance can charge a lot more to pay for the extra money they will have to pay out in medical bills?
Donna

Thanks guys, I'm really excited.

My AS has definitely progressed over the last 6 years (diagnosed in 2004). I've lost some range of motion in my SI joints and my neck, my shoulders, ribs and probably a lot more. I've been able to work a bit, but have been a stay-at-home dad for the last 11 years. So, in the end, I'm not sure how much I can work and what kind of work I can do.

I've been able to be a part-time valet which includes lots of walking and getting in and out of cars, and while I do have bad days, my body is performing remarkably well (although I haven't flared since taking the job in Jan). But I had to leave the retail work I had been doing because I cannot stand in one place for very long at all. As long as I keep moving, I can get by okay.

I've applied to a school to become a radiologist with a goal to eventually be a Cat Scan Technician. It's a two-year program. I'm not sure if my body will hold out or if I'll be physically able to perform the work, but the survivor benefits from my wife's passing in 1998 run out in a few years, so I need to find something. If I cannot do the work, I fear I'll be in a position where I'll have to apply for disability, but I fear even more so that I'll be denied. First thing's first though; let's see if I can get into the school, and then let's see if I can do the work day in and day out.

As for the initial benefits of the new law as they apply to me, I'm not sure how the risk pool (the one that kicks in in 180 days)for those with pre-existing conditions will work, but I'm guessing it'll be similar to what will be in place once everything takes effect in 2014. At that point, those who cannot afford the insurance will get subsidies so that they can. But I'm not looking for subsidies, I'll be willing to pay; it's just that up until now, nobody would cover me because of my AS -- that is no longer an issue! But as to cost for the coverage and the details, I don't know yet. I imagine they'll send out an information sheet to everyone indicating the benefits and when they'll begin and how to take advantage of it. It takes time to put this kind of reform in place (hell, it took over 40 years to get here, and then over a year of debate under this president to get the law passed; now we have to implement it!).

As for cost containment, there are definitely provisions in the law to protect against that, after all, that's the whole point of the reform, lol. I'm sure the insurance companies will still try to jack up costs, but the law is designed to prevent the kind of dramatic increases we've seen here in the states for a long, long time.

Sadly it's not a Canadian style plan, but we'll leave that for the next big push whenever that can come (had Clinton been able to pass what Obama passed, Obama might have been able to get us all the way to single payer or at least a public option, but the nature of politics is what it is, so I feel lucky to have what we ended up with...so are 32 million other people!).

But thanks again. This is going to help so many people, both short term and long term (even those who opposed it).

First let me just say how sorry I am that your wife passed. That AND having AS speaks volumes of your strength of character.

If you really want to be on LDN now, you could go about it "backwards" like I did.

1-call local compounding pharmacies to find one that has/is compounding LDN
2-ask them which Doctor(s) are prescribing it
3-get an appt with that Doc and get on LDN

This works best anyway because so many Docs say no to trying LDN. This way you hopefully won't waste $ on an unfruitful office call. Depending on which type of Doc you choose it will probably cost you $85-$200 for the appointment without insurance. A family doc or PA is around $85 here in Idaho. My Rheumy was $200. It's probably different state to state. Then the LDN costs $22-$40 per month without benefits. Maybe you've already thought all this through, I just thought I would share my methods of bucking the system!

Hi Pete

Sorry but I didn't realise you had lost your wife, life must have been pretty tough at times as a lone parent without having to cope with ill health. I don't understand your American health care system but it sounds as though this new bill will help a lot of people. I am really glad you will finally get to see a doctor and hopefully start treatment.

My best wishes to you.

though i've been one of the lucky ones (to be able to keep working thus far, to have good benefits, to not be denied insurance due to pre-existing condition, etc), i've watched the developments carefully and am so delighted for everyone not as lucky as i have been!

rachel maddow's show last night (3/22/10) had a good run down of the changes and when they go into effect at the beginning of her show. you can download the free podcasts, or i'm assuming you can watch on-line. but as you said, the list of changes and when they go into effect are probably elsewhere on the internet as well.

i am so happy for you! and everyone else, who's lives will be positively impacted.

11 years without insurance?!? With kids that would be a lot of white-knuckling it. I have been "fortunate" to be downtrodden enough to qualify for Medicaid and it saved my life. I was able to receive chemotherapy without anybody trying to squeeze blood out of a turnip. And now I'm able to receive quality care for my AS and for all of my children as well. Everyone should be able to get this kind of care in the US.

Excellent news about the passing of the HCR legislation and you being able to get coverage. So many positives for so many people.

Hey Pete,

I followed story a bit, I really unsure how it changes everything in the grand scheme. Hopefully everyone will have access to health care they need.

Tim

Wow, that sure is fantastic news!

What a relief it must be to know that you and everyone else will be taken care of.

Wooohooo!

Chris

Hi Pete,
Congratulations on finally being able to get some health insurance. I didn't have the TV on yesterday, but I saw the "Obama: "A New Season in America" " video on youtube. I was touched by it.
Take care,
James

Thanks all, it truly is a new day in America. Although I was without coverage for 11 years, my kids have been on the CHIP plan, an extention of Medicaid for kids from low-income families (being only on Social Security survivor's benefits and being a stay-at-home dad put me in that bracket), so they've had all the health care they've required.

Anyway, here's a rundown, for those of you in the states, of the things that begin immediately or in the first year; it's directly from the Speaker's blog:

"Under the legislative package the House passed on Sunday (the Senate-passed health bill as amended by the reconciliation bill) many key provisions take effect this year - here are some of them:

IF YOU ARE A SMALL BUSINESSES OWNER:

SMALL BUSINESS TAX CREDITS—Offers tax credits to small businesses to make employee coverage more affordable. Tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums will be immediately available. Effective beginning for calendar year 2010. (Beginning in 2014, small business tax credits will cover 50 percent of premiums.)

IF YOU ARE A SENIOR:

BEGINS TO CLOSE THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE—Provides a $250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries who hit the donut hole in 2010. Effective for calendar year 2010. (Beginning in 2011, institutes a 50% discount on brand-name drugs in the donut hole; also completely closes the donut hole by 2020.)

FREE PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER MEDICARE—Eliminates co-payments for preventive services and exempts preventive services from deductibles under the Medicare program. Effective beginning January 1, 2011.

HELP FOR EARLY RETIREES—Creates a temporary re-insurance program (until the Exchanges are available) to help offset the costs of expensive health claims for employers that provide health benefits for retirees age 55-64. Effective 90 days after enactment.

IF YOU HAVE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE:

NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHILDREN WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS—Prohibits health plans from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. Effective 6 months after enactment. (Beginning in 2014, this prohibition would apply to adults as well.)

NO RESCISSIONS—Bans health plans from dropping people from coverage when they get sick. Effective 6 months after enactment.

NO LIFETIME LIMITS ON COVERAGE—Prohibits health plans from placing lifetime caps on coverage. Effective 6 months after enactment.

NO RESTRICTIVE ANNUAL LIMITS ON COVERAGE—Tightly restricts new plans’ use of annual limits to ensure access to needed care. These tight restrictions will be defined by HHS. Effective 6 months after enactment. (Beginning in 2014, the use of any annual limits would be prohibited for all plans.)

FREE PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER NEW PLANS—Requires new private plans to cover preventive services with no co-payments and with preventive services being exempt from deductibles. Effective 6 months after enactment.

NEW, INDEPENDENT APPEALS PROCESS FOR NEW PLANS—Ensures consumers in new plans have access to an effective internal and external appeals process to appeal decisions. Effective 6 months after enactment.

MORE FOR YOUR PREMIUM DOLLAR—Requires plans to put more of your premiums into your care, and less into profits, CEO pay, etc. This medical loss ratio requires plans in the individual and small group market to spend 80 percent of premiums on medical services, and plans in the large group market to spend 85 percent. Insurers that don’t meet these thresholds must provide rebates to policyholders. Effective on January 1, 2011.

NO DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SALARY—Prohibits new group health plans from establishing any eligibility rules for health care coverage that have the effect of discriminating in favor of higher wage employees. Effective 6 months after enactment.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE:

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS (INTERIM HIGH-RISK POOL)—Provides immediate access to insurance for Americans who are uninsured because of a pre-existing condition - through a temporary high-risk pool – until the Exchanges up and running in 2014. Effective 90 days after enactment. (Beginning in 2014, health plans are banned from discriminating against all people with pre-existing conditions, so high-risk pools would phase out).

EXTENDING COVERAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO 26TH BIRTHDAY THROUGH PARENTS’ INSURANCE – Requires health plans to allow young people up to their 26th birthday to remain on their parents’ insurance policy, at the parents’ choice. Effective 6 months after enactment.

GENERAL REFORMS:

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS—Increases funding for Community Health Centers to allow for nearly doubling the number of patients served over the next 5 years. Effective beginning in fiscal year 2010.

MORE PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS—Provides new investment in training programs to increase the number of primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals. Effective beginning in fiscal year 2010.

HEALTH INSURANCE CONSUMER ASSISTANCE—Provides aid to states to establish offices of health insurance consumer assistance to help consumers file complaints and appeals. Effective beginning in FY 2010.

A NEW, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM—Creates a long-term care insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide benefits to adults who become functionally disabled. Effective on January 1, 2011.

And in 2014, once the exchanges have formed, more insurance reforms go into effect, including:

NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ADULTS WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS

BAN ON HIGHER PREMIUMS FOR WOMEN

PREMIUMS BASED ON AGE CAN ONLY VARY BY A MAXIMUM OF 3-TO-1 RATIO

CAP ON OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES for private health plans"

Not exactly single-payer, lol, but for us in the U.S. it's a dramatic change from what it used to be.

Great suggestion; I'll have to do this when the time comes. I'm really interested in this treatment plan. I'm not keen on the biological approach for a variety of reasons.

Congratulations!!!!!

I tried getting good life insurance but was denied by every company. I finally took out a plan with aarp which was term life. The monthly payments are high and coverage will only be enough to pay off the house.

Will there be monthly premiums or will another program like medicade take care of it??

That's really good having that list there, thanks for that, nice to have it all in one place

Like you said, really wish that the public option could be there, to help out as well, and especially wish there could have been an overturn of the dreaded McCarran–Ferguson Act

small steps make a difference, and especially for people here, the pre-existing condition change will change lives for the better!!

Aargh, I'm pretty disgusted with this! $250 for those who hit the donut hole, a big whoop-ti-do! Closed by 2020?? And who really believes the current congress has much control over the budget 10 years in the future?

You'd think with all that money they've earmarked for this bill, it could be addressed NOW

On the other side, the "no lifetime caps on coverage" provision will start helping people in the near future

Wait a second here, you pay every month into an insurance plan and then if you become sick...they actually pay to take care of you?

Come on? Really? Insurance companies paying out good money to help sick people?

Surely this must be some sort of communist plot! How are insurance company CEOs supposed to get filthy rich off the backs of the sick and dying now?

Chris

I don't really understand how the US system works, but I've been appalled at some of the things I have read on here which would include situations like yours... I am so pleased that you, and all those affected, will finally be able to get the care and treatment you should never have been denied in the first place! Yay!

Jeffery, the amount you pay will depend on your situation. Obviously if you are below the income level stated in the bill (it's higher - easier to qualify for -- than it had been to receive Medicaid, but I can't remember just what the threshold is), you'll be able to receive subsidies to help pay for it, but I don't believe this part kicks in until 2014; and as of right now I'm not sure how expensive it will be to join the risk pool for those with pre-existing conditions (the plan in place until 2014). And the exchange (the mechanism to lower costs for those who currently are insured) doesn't take effect until 2014 either.

As for the donut hole filler, yes, it's sad that it will be a while before it's filled in totally, but in order to get all these changes without increasing the deficit (and actually reducing the deficit instead), they had to push back the enactment date.

It will definitely take time for all the benefits to begin working, but as I wrote earlier, there are many which do help a whole lot of people within the first 90 days. With any luck, future administrations will add to this great first step, making health care even more affordable for all.

Lol!

Well, for most of us, the system here doesn't work well at all, but times, they are a-changin'! Thanks for the good wishes; we'll eventually catch up with all the great countries in Europe, Canada, many in South America, etc. and have really good health care coverage, but this is an incredibly good first step.

Yes, $250 isn't much, but I guess it is better than nothing. Also, as someone who just went on Medicare as of March 1, which is two-years after my disability status became official, I was very pleasantly surprised to find a terrific supplemental Medicare plan that costs just $167 a month and provides, among other things, payment for generic drugs throughout the entire doughnut hole period. In other words, as long as I go the generic route--which I do on every drug but Celebrex and, of course, Remicade--I will pay the exact same amount for my meds during the doughnut hole period as I would during the "regular" coverage. I knew such coverage existed with some supplemental plans, but I was very pleased at how low-cost the option was (expected it to cost at least a couple hundred more per month). Also, about a year ago I did some early research while helping choose Medicare coverage for my grandmother; at that time, I did not see many supplemental plans that offered this "gap coverage." When I went to choose my own plan in December, the number offering such coverage had gone way up--I'd guess that out of the 36 plans offered in my geographic area, roughly a third of them now had gap coverage (up from maybe two to five plans during that first look). I don't know if that was a preemptive move in anticipation of the health care bill (doubt it) or what, but it is definitely a good thing. That said, I do realize that for many, coming up with even the extra $167 a month would cause a hardship, but it will always be better to have such an option available than to have it not be there.

Brad

Define "most of us". Approximately 85% of the population in the United States has insurance coverage, therefore this is a superfluous statement at best.

What worries me is that they are cutting 1/2 trillion dollars from Medicare to help pay for the new program. There is a big increase (10%) of new recipients as the Baby Boomers are reaching 65. How can they cut so much money without cutting service? Right now, Medicare has been declining 6 times more claims as private insurance. Those of us on Medicare are not going to be happy once this gets going.

I think they could have done a much better job. Why didn't they allow people to buy insurance across state lines? If you move to another state, you can't keep your insurance, no matter how good it is. They could have saved a lot of money by allowing us to buy our meds from Canada rather then make a deal with US drug companies. Part of the reason doctor bills are so high is because of malpractice insurance. Why didn't they include some kind of tort reform? Why do single men have to pay for maternity benefits? They do under the new healthcare plan.

And why in the world are they going to pay for convicted rapists and pedophiles to have Viagra?

It just does not make any sense to me.
Donna

I am not saying that we shouldn't have a healtcare bill. Congress could have done a better job.

whoah, it's like starting all over...

One of the problems I just read about today from AP is that it does NOT cover preexisting conditions until 2014. The politicians lied to us or there were so many bureaucrats putting the bill together that the kids somehow got forgotten.

"ObamaCare will not protect children with pre-existing health conditions from being denied health coverage -- not until 2014. This despite endless talking points and promises to the contrary, the Associated Press reports:

Under the new law, insurance companies still would be able to refuse new coverage to children because of a pre-existing medical problem, said Karen Lightfoot, spokeswoman for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, one of the main congressional panels that wrote the bill Obama signed into law Tuesday...

Full protection for children would not come until 2014, said Kate Cyrul, a spokeswoman for the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, another panel that authored the legislation. That's the same year when insurance companies could no longer deny coverage to any person on account of health problems."

Well, not to get off-topic Jaybird, but having coverage and having good coverage are too very different things. Insurance companies hiking rates, dropping people who get sick, capping coverage, not covering people with pre-existing conditiones, etc., etc., etc., are facts that bear my statement out. Now, the fact that I get health insurance at long last is the topic of this thread. If you'd like to whine about how you didn't get your way, start your own thread if you please.

Hope you get all you need from the bill

Jeanne

Avonlady, I appreciate your point of view, and it's clear you've been reading Republican talking points. As I mentioned to Jaybird, you are hijacking a thread that has to do with my exictement over finally getting health care coverage.

As for the "loophole" that has been found, it is exactly that, a loophole, and is not an example of politicians lying to anyone. Conspicuously missing from your post is the fact that this situation is in the process of being resolved by the White House. The intent of the bill was to do exactly what has been described, to immediately end the practice of denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions; that the language in the bill was vague enough for the insurance companies to try and weasel out of the legislation is yet another example of the fat cats trying to stay fat at our expense.

You know, I don't expect Republicans to like the fact that they lost, but I was kind of hoping that they and their followers would be glad for those who are actually helped by this law. So please, if you'd like to whine, please do feel free to start your own thread; otherwise, I'll thank you not to hijack mine.

Congratulations!

As a spectator, I'm so impressed by Mr Obama getting this through. It has to be a defining point in his administration.

As others have mentioned in this post, it's a great first step, and hopefully, over time, more will be done.

I had a mate who worked in the US a few years back, and the amount his company had to pay for private health insurance blew me away. I'm amazed that they can charge so much AND also have been so selective.

Here in Australia I have comprehensive private insurance which only costs me around $250 a month. I think it is because so many people have the insurance that the price is kept so low.

If that can be done here, I'm sure it can (eventually) be done in the US. As TiredOfPain said, it just means the (POWERFULL) insurance companies may have to reduce their dividends and their executive pay packets slightly!

James

Indeed!

Yes, we have a way to go on health care, and how I wish all the benefits could kick in immediately, but as they have to deal with an incredible deficit left to them by the previous administration (we actually had a surplus as Clinton left office),they didn't want to add to that. But these early benefits are going to help a whole lot of people, including myself (he says selfishly, lol), and couldn't have come at a better time.

Cheers!

Thanks! I'm so excited.

when i wanted to know EXACTLY what was in the health insurance reform bill, and when each item would be implemented, i googled it, but all i was coming up with was summaries by news organizations. unfortunately, the news is not just unbiased facts, but opinions as well. so i wanted to go to a first source, not filtered by someone else. in lieu of reading the entire bill, this was the best site i could find:

http://docs.house.gov/energycommerce/TIMELINE.pdf


if anyone has a better, more "original source" site for me to look at, i'd be interested in seeing it.

from what i'm reading, things will be implemented over a time-line, some things right away, other things a little later. from what i've been hearing on my local news, a few things are already gearing up to go into effect.

since this has been years, decades even in the making, a few years out sounds pretty good to me, but many of the most important changes and/or easiest to implement, seem like they will be taking effect very soon.

could the bill have been better? nothing is perfect. but i'm going to focus on the good that is coming out of this, like pete and others finally getting the coverage they deserve.

NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHILDREN WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS—Prohibits health plans from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. Effective 6 months after enactment. (Beginning in 2014, this prohibition would apply to adults as well.)

from:

http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=2214

With the passion surrounding this subject, the team would like to remind everyone:

For the good of all, Please let's try to keep the rhetoric to a minimum -- Please recognise if/when you are being baited -- and Please do not react/respond in kind to troll-like behaviour to the detriment of your fellow posters.

It is counter-productive to the very purpose of our support site when the few are permitted to derail important topics of conversation. For the sake of the original poster and meaningful discussion, please help in this by being mindful of the R&R's when contributing to this thread.

Thank you!

Actually, it wasn't off topic. The fact that you make an assertion that "the system here doesn't work well at all" leads one to believe that you are some kind of indisputable knowledge base on health insurance in the United States. Whether speaking of individuals with health insurance or those who are "satisfied" with their health insurance, it's relevant, especially when you state that the "system here doesn't work well at all". Nothing you've posted in your reply is factual as you've cited no sources and it is clearly a regurgitation of what has been lapped up from the mainstream media sources (agents of the state) and the politicians. I'm not wanting to start some long drawn out thread, and I had no interest in responding to your post until you got off (your own) topic by stating your opinion that the "system here doesn't work well at all" because it is currently not working out for you.

Personally, whether you choose to believe it or not, I'm happy that you can are able to see a doctor in an attempt to get some help. I'm happy that many will be able to get much needed health care (although at the expense of others in many cases).

Lastly, I'm not whining about not getting my way. I recognized the need for some changes to be implemented in the United States health care system. There are some good ideas contained in the developed legislation, but the efforts in D.C., in my opinion, are disingenuous at best. I'm one of the fortunate individuals that see the macro-level schematic (big picture) and see what additional burden this entitlement program heaves upon this country. Additionally, why does our health insurance system or anything else for that matter that this country does need to reflect or measure up to systems in place in the rest of the world? This is the United States. There was a reason that this country was different from the others. However, in the last 20 years I recognize this country less and less. I'm sure these changes were in motion long before that, but I can only cite what I know/have experienced. I've perceived such a change that I'm strongly considering leaving it's borders for elsewhere (no, Canadian members, you do not need to concern yourselves that an undesirable like me is attempting to take residence in your country). At least that destination country will have better health care since they have had some practice and experience. It's basically all the same, isn't it?

I hear Costa Rica is nice, lol.

Thanks for agreeing that it is a good thing that I and millions of others finally get health care, and you're right, there are many good things in this law. Like any new major reform there will be bumps in the road, but these will be addressed as they come up.

Ok, Pete--CONGRATULATIONS!



The question I have is why wait?

Doctor visits cost less than insurance premiums.

And as I understand the way the new system will work is that medications will be partially (50%?) covered in 2011. So, if You waited six months to go to a rheumatologist and (s)he gave You a prescription for, oh let's say they want to prescribe a good drug like Enbrel (which has a great track record over LDN, perhaps), would You take the Enbrel?

For example, Your disease is not treated now, but You will wait until say October 2010 to go to some doctor and then fill the prescription in January 2011?

These are not rhetorical questions, but I really want to know how this thing is going to work, because insurance is still fairly expensive.

If I believed that LDN would help me, I would go out right now and get LDN! Doctor or no doctor. I'm free to make my own drug choices and I do--either via mail or I cross the border into Mexico. I haven't yet checked out the prices in Tijuana on Enbrel, but I'm sure they are reasonable. And You could order naltrexone online even. I just ordered antibiotics from a place in Nicosea, Cypress, since I broke my foot recently and did not want to walk across the border and too cheap to take the park and shuttle bus.

So I don't know how long this "health" (my health only deteriorated after I began seeing doctors...and taking their advice and meds; I hope Your experience is much different) giveaway will last, but usually--by the time every kid gets on the merry-go-round with nobody left pushing--it slows down then stops altogether.

Regards,
John

It's more than the LDN. I'd like to see how far my AS has progressed, get x-rays, etc. That will cost money. Plus, having insurance, I'll not have to worry about getting sick or injured or anything that would require another doctor's visit/trip to E.R./surgery/etc. As I mentioned before, I'll pay the premiums, I just want coverage so that I can be like most of you and get the health care I deserve.

It's a good point though.

i don't even want to calculate the thousands upon thousands of dollars i'd be paying if i didn't have decent health insurance; between doctors visits, PT, and drugs (copays) and my premiums, i already spend hundreds to several thousand a year out of pocket, but at least i can afford it. without insurance it would be prohibitively expensive. and that's not even counting if something catastrophic were to happen. thus i understand completely why this is such a relief to you.

during my "relatively healthy" periods without PT or too many doctors visits, i probably pay less than $1000 a year (mostly for my drugs (arthritis is just one thing to contend with, many of us have other health issues), but in the years when things fall apart, PT adds up very quickly, and every time i seriously mess up a tendon or ligament, there is often a scan involved, sometimes cortisone injections, periodic trigger point injections, etc. and since they are still trying to figure out what kind of arthritis i have, blood work and scans.

others might think i am milking the system too much, and maybe they have a point? but if i weren't this proactive, i honestly believe that i wouldn't be well enough to work, and thus i'd be more of a drain on the system than i am now. i'm just really thankful that i have the health insurance to share the load, and am thankful that now others will have the same benefits that i've been so fortunate to have.

it would be nice if diet and exercise alone worked for all of us, and i certainly make them a part of my health plan, have pretty much my entire adult life. i remember naively thinking in my 20s when i watched all the health problems my parents and grandparents were battling, "if i just eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, i won't end up like them". but unfortunately, diet and exercise alone are not enough, sometimes genetics is a hard thing to beat.......

ok, time to go take my walk!

Pete

Of course you realize that your coverage will not be free?
All Americans will be required to BUY into health care and those that do not will be"fined"
But at last Health care will be available to anyone regardless
of a pre-exsisting condition. My daughter tht has no insurance will now be covered on my insurance with an increase in premiums.... Nothing is Free!!!

I'm already beyond my $2000 out of pocket deductible for the year, and it's not even April!

glad you won't have to keep spending that kind of money the rest of the year!

A brief warning for anyone thinking of buying cheaper drugs online. A woman on our island died last year from contaminated drugs that she bought online. Be careful that you are buying from a reliable source (I'm not an expert so don't know how you figure that out when purchasing drugs via the internet).

I have no problem with that; I'm not asking for a free lunch. But you do realize that those unable to pay will get subsidies that will allow them to get the coverage they need, so for some it will be free.

And as for the "fine" for not getting health care coverage, my understanding is that those who do have coverage get a $750 tax credit, while those without health care do not -- it will not be an out of pocket fine.

And as far as premium increases, when 2014 arrives (it may even be earlier) the exchanges put into place by the new law will prevent insurance companies from doing what they have been doing since day one: raising rates 20, 30, 40% each year.

Trust me, I wanted so much more. I would have loved a Canadian style package, or at least a public option, but it just wasn't doable this time around. Who knows what the future holds, but at least it's a tremendous start, a big first step, and so much better than the status quo, and I can't wait to have the right to purchase health care coverage (please, take my money, lol).

Well once the exchanges start operating, kiss your insurance company goodbye and shop, shop, shop around for a better deal (man I wish all the benefits could start immediately, but I guess it's better to be fiscally responsible for a change).

Petesimac, while I truly do wish you the best, and hold no animosity towards you, nobody knows what all is going to unroll out of that bill, most of the ones that passed it have admitted they have not even read it themselves. It is just a framework of an extreme power grab, which leaves it open for them to make the rules as they go along.

Sure they have dangled a few carrots out there to start with to try and win some popular opinion, which they are sorely needing. They will have to have some sort of fines to get the revenue they need and even that won't be enough. The only way this plan could have come close to working was on a thriving economy, not a recession that very well could drag on for yrs. Watch and see, within a yr. they will be trying to pass a national sales tax, or vat. to try and fund it. Our health care system is going to suffer badly if this monstrosity stays in place.
J.R.

I have been blessed with wonderful insurance because of my hubbies generous retirement plan. Since I turned 65 it became a Medigap policy. Our company has us on a generous prescription plan with no donut hole. My worry is that it will be considered a "Cadillac plan" and we will have to pay a lot of extra taxes. We are living on a fixed income now and things seem to be costing more every day.
I am also worried about all the Medicare and Medicaid cuts that will be made. It looks like they are going to make the poor and elderly pay for it.

In 2010 they will be cutting Medicare payments for inpatients psych hospitals. In 2011 come cuts to home health, and reimbursements when seniors use diagnostic imaging also cuts to ambulance services, diagnostic labs and durable medical equipment.

Right now Medicare only covers 20 visits for PT a year, thats not a lot when you are disabled.

good for you pete.

I am so glad we finally did some type of health reform rather than just ignore it like we have for over 10 years now. The choice was to all pay more or stop treatment to the uninsured completely. The trick will be how it is amended over the next few years. It will be changed you can bet on that but the basic principles will remain and that is a good thing overall.

I believe some things should not be for profit enterprises. No one wants a private police force or a private corporate US army. I now believe that private unregulated health care has failed as an experiment. High Medical costs remind me of high house prices. They are unsustainable and will POP.

Simple truth is without massive Government tax breaks and subsidies to employers and employees the current insurance model of insurance through a job would have broken down years ago.

In addition, Globalization makes employer provided health care a heavy burden to US companies. trying to compete in the new worldwide marketplace.

I have been an independent all my adult life. I have voted both Democrat and republican. I have had good health insurance all my working life. Did health insurance need attention you bet, but was this the right way? I don't know. What worries me more is the fiscal irresponsibility of our country. I am tired of both sides of the isle serving their own interests. I believe that we need to boot all members of the senate and congress out that have more than 8 years of service and start new. We need to put our own house in order or none of this will be relevant.
I hope it works out for you, I just hope it works out for the country.
ETTE.
Darrel.

Derrel, I keep saying, kick them all out and let's start over with ordinary working people like it was supposed to be. Pass a law that lawyers can't serve. I think a bunch of housewives could do a much better job on the budget.
Donna

Amen!

I like the housewife Idea. With the country so deeply Split and divided anymore we need some moms to bring reason back to the country and anyone who stays too extreme on right or left needs some tough love from mom LOL

Our County attorneys office is all women. Happy,Terri,Danalee,Emily,Michelle. New Troopers almost have a heart attack the first time they go there. The place is saturated with estrogen. They are a sharp team very good at what they do. I agree lets try some ladies.
ETTE.
Darrel.

Great news Pete you can now get the treatment you deserve.



Kevin