Carrie Writes
Health Care Reform
Carrie Barrepski

On March 21st history was made when, after long debates, the House
of Representatives passed the Health Care Reform bill. The bill was passed
in the Senate last December. After debates and overcoming hurdles the
House passed the legislation with 219 votes with 212 against and no
Republican Party support. On March 23rd President Obama signed this
historical bill into law with twenty pens to share with key supporters.

The 940 billion dollar plan will have some impact on the present and
future. There is still a lot of legwork to be done to put the new plan into motion.
One thing that is for sure is that insurance coverage will be expanded to 32
million uninsured in the United States. The bill will affect many individuals,
businesses and insurance companies.

By 2016 individuals will be required to have health insurance or
be faced with a fine of either 695 dollars or 2.5 percent of income. However, there
will be a hardship exception to this requirement. Companies with fifty or more
employees will be required to offer insurance or be fined two thousand dollars
per worker.

A health insurance exchange will be created to allow small
businesses, self-employed individuals and the unemployed to research and
purchase affordable health insurance. Insurance companies will not be
allowed to deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions. They will also be
banned from canceling coverage due to an individual's illness. They will also
not be able to charge higher premiums based on a person's gender or
medical history.

Children up to age twenty-six will be covered under parents' insurance. In
addition, total out of pocket expenses will be limited. Health insurances
subsidies will be put in place to provide a family of four making up to 88,000 or
400 percent of the poverty level. In a nut shell the reform bill is ensuring that
everyone gets affordable health insurance.