By: Jason Maxwell
Submitted: 2010-11-22 05:59:28 | Word Count: 481
Health care reform bill has finally been set up and approved. It is important that we know the pros and cons of this bill. Let us discuss some facts about this health care legislation that should be common knowledge for every citizen.
The insurance companies will be under the watchful eye of the government. The minimum services to be covered, such as preventive care, will be standardized. The premiums should have a particular percentage to be paid out to patient care. Exchanges will be opened by the year 2014. During that time, the insurance companies will not be able to turn down clients because of the previous conditions.
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Hospitals or other private health care institutions wont be taken over by the government the way they do in Britain or Canada. Medical practitioners or physicians will not be under the employment of the government such as in Britain.
In contrast to Canada where all bills are paid by the government (single-payer system), the US government will only aid individuals in buying insurance from private companies. Other areas of the previous system such as Medicaid for the deprived, employer-assisted insurance, or Medicare for the aged will not be touched. Those who are compelled to get insurance on their own, the administration will produce exchanges for health insurance. They could comparatively analyze prices & plans with minimum effort with this.
Small companies are no longer under obligation to provide insurance for their employees but large companies will be fined if they neglect to buy them insurance. Big corporations are those that employ fifty workers or more. An employee for a company of seventy workers, for instance, purchases insurance on the exchange. Then it is found that he is eligible for the governments low-income credit then the company will be afforded a fine.
Basing on the individual mandate, every individual must have a health insurance otherwise they will be fined. Government's goal is to cap premiums for individuals who earn below a certain bracket. Minimum of $695 for every individual each year will comprise the fine. However, there are exceptions like hardship on finances and other special cases.
Controlled by the government, the Medicare program will continue shouldering the medical expenses for senior citizens. However, cost controls will be implemented on health care institutions, especially incentives & penalties. Medicaid will now cover all poverty-stricken citizens unlike before where only the elderly, disabled, children, or pregnant women are covered. Of course, those illegal settlers won't be qualified for this. The government does not favor elective abortions except in cases of incest, rape, or when the mothers life was endangered.
