Health Care Reform Law Kicks In Today

No more refusing to insure sick kids, limiting lifetime benefits
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 23, 2010 7:35 AM CDT
Health Care Reform Law Kicks In Today
Jerry and Becky Morefield enjoy some time with their 15-year-old triplets with cerebral palsy in Mahomet, Ill., Sept. 22, 2010. The new health care law will ensure they can't be denied coverage.   (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

Some of the central provisions of the health care reform bill passed 6 months ago go into effect today, and despite the partisan rancor that’s surrounded the law, they’re sure to help hundreds of thousands of Americans. As of today, the New York Times explains, insurers will no longer be able to exclude children because of pre-existing conditions, set lifetime limits on benefits, or drop sick customers due to technical mistakes on their applications.

The law also requires insurers to offer coverage to children up to age 26 on their parents’ policies, and establishes a menu of preventative procedures, like colonoscopies, mammograms and immunizations, that must be covered without co-pays. Finally, it allows customers to keep their doctors even if they switch insurance plans. “The amount of vulnerability that was out there was horrendous,” President Obama said yesterday, campaigning in Virginia. “We’ve just got to give people some basic peace of mind.” (More health care reform stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X