--Marianne M. Jones, Executive Director, Women’s Fund of NH
As the debate heats up in the New Year on the benefits of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, I have found myself wondering what does health care reform mean to me and my work. As a nonprofit manager, mother of three girls, I am responsible for the majority of healthcare and health insurance related decisions for me, my family and the health plan options offered through this nonprofit. And as a middle-aged female, I know that my healthcare needs are very different from my husband’s as I try to keep current with screenings and annual exams in spite of out-of-pocket costs. I didn’t have to wait long to understand some of the Health Reform Act’s benefits—I received a letter from my health insurer listing the positive changes to my coverage. I’ve also come to understand the additional benefits to women from the insurance reforms which has an unprecedented focus on women’s health, including mandated coverage for preventative screenings, mandatory maternity coverage, and a ban on discriminating policies and pricing based on gender. It is hard not to be an advocate for keeping these reforms.
This is what I learned from my insurer’s letter:
- My insurance company can no longer have a lifetime limit on the coverage they provide, which means I never have to worry about coverage running out and facing catastrophic out-of-pocket costs.
- My insurance company will not be able to exclude me, my husband, or my children from coverage because of a pre-existing condition.
- My insurance plan’s use of annual limits will be tightly regulated to ensure access to needed care.
I also learned that consumers in new plans will have coverage for recommended preventive services – like colon cancer screening, mammograms, PAP tests, immunizations, and well-baby and well-child care – without having to pay a co-pay, coinsurance, or deductible.
It’s important to take the time right now to understand the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and to avoid getting caught up in the hype of partisan discussion. One of the best web sites I have found for quick, accurate information on women’s health and the reforms is on the Kaiser Family Foundation site, www.kff.org/womenshealth
It is worth a visit to better understand the opportunity we have for long-term positive health outcomes for women as a result of this reform.
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