Health Care

The historic health care legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama offers the American people the choice of affordable quality health care coverage for the first time. The legislation puts the American people, not insurance companies or government, in charge of their health care. It reduces costs, improves coverage and stops insurance company abuses. Reforming health care is a crucial part of our economic recovery. Our bill cuts long-term health care costs, reduces the deficit by $1.3 trillion over the first 20 years, and creates millions of jobs.

The legislation passed by House Democrats will cover 96% of Americans and guarantees stability, lower costs, higher quality, and a greater choice of plans for all Americans.

Early Benefits

Americans are already seeing the benefits of health care reform as many of the key provisions took effect immediately or ahead of schedule. For example, starting this year health insurance companies cannot deny children coverage based on a pre-existing conditions.

Several new benefits have taken effect ahead of schedule:

Lowering Seniors’ Prescription Drug Costs: Seniors who fall into the Medicare prescription drug “donut hole” will begin to receive their $250 rebate checks June 10th, weeks ahead of schedule.
Ban on Rescissions: Democrats pressured health insurance companies to immediately end their practice of rescission – canceling someone’s coverage when they get sick – months before the new ban takes effect.
Coverage for Young Adults: More than 65 of the nation’s leading insurance agencies have agreed to start allowing young adults who don’t get insurance at work to stay on their parents’ health insurance plan until they turn 26 now, instead of months from now.
Supporting Early Retirees: The Administration has announced the establishment of an early retiree insurance program to help early retirees, who are often denied health insurance, access to quality, affordable care. This program offers $5 billion to help employers provide benefits to their retired workers who are not yet eligible for Medicare benefits.

If you have insurance, this bill:

Keeps your insurance company from denying you care or coverage – or charging you more – because of diabetes, heart disease or any other “pre-existing condition.”
Gives you peace of mind that you won’t lose coverage.
Prevents insurance companies from dropping you because you get “too sick.”
Covers preventive care with no co-pays or deductibles.
Limits the out-of-pocket expenses your insurance company can make you pay.

If you don’t have insurance, this bill:

Lets you comparison shop for a quality, affordable health plan through a new health insurance exchange or marketplace.
Offers you low group rates, even for individual coverage.
Helps lower your premiums with affordability credits for those who need help paying.
Prevents any insurance company from denying you coverage for heart disease, diabetes or another “pre-existing condition.”
Extends coverage for young Americans, allowing them to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans up to their 26th birthday if they choose.

For our seniors, this bill:

Strengthens Medicare, extending its solvency for at least nine years.
Improves access to your doctor.
Lowers Medicare drug prices by beginning to close the “donut hole” immediately.
Reduces waste, fraud and abuse.
Improves care by helping doctors communicate and coordinate care.
Expands home and community-based services to keep seniors in their home, instead of in nursing homes.

Featured Accomplishments

Affordable Health Care for America Act

The Affordable Health Care for America Act, which blends and updates the three versions of previous bills passed by the House committees of jurisdiction in July, embodies President Obama's key goals for health reform. (Signed into law)
FDA Regulation of Tobacco

Democrats granted the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate the advertising, marketing, and manufacturing of tobacco products – the number-one cause of preventable death in America. (Signed into law)
Health Care for 11 million Children

Democrats provided cost-effective health coverage for 4 million more children whose parents earn too little to provide their own insurance, but too much to qualify for Medicaid, and preserved coverage for 7 million children already enrolled. (Signed into law)
Improved Health Care for our Veterans

Democrats voted to strengthen health care for more than 5 million veterans by investing 15% more than in 2009 for medical care, benefits claims processors, and facility improvements in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act. For the first time, the legislation also includes advanced appropriations for FY 2011 to provide reliable and timely funding for veterans health care. (Passed by the House)
Medicare Premium Fairness Act

Democrats voted to protect 11 million seniors and cash-strapped states from unfair increases in their 2010 Medicare Part B premiums. These hikes would directly threaten the pocketbooks of 4 million new enrollees and retirees, as well as state budgets, which cover premiums for 7 million low-income seniors. There is no reason this burden should fall on seniors and people with disabilities, especially during difficult economic times. (Passed by the House)
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act

Democrats voted to reauthorize the Ryan White program for four years. The Ryan White program has been serving people with AIDS and HIV for nearly two decades. Today, the program provides care, treatment and support services to nearly half a million people – most of whom are low-income. Without this critical safety net, some of our nation’s most vulnerable populations would not receive the care and treatment they need and rightfully deserve.
The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009

Democrats passed landmark legislation to fundamentally change the way we protect the safety of our food supply. This legislation closes the gaps exposed by the recent string of food-borne illness outbreaks and gives the Food and Drug Administration new authorities, tools, and funding. (Passed by the House)