...there are many immediate benefits in the health care reform legislation, despite the fact that, as I have already said many times, it is a flawed measure that doesn't go nearly far enough to remedy our nation's ills. In the absence of single-payer for all, however, we get:
1. Adult children may remain as dependents on their parents’ policy until their 27th birthdayBravo for big baby steps.
2. Children under age 19 may not be excluded for pre-existing conditions
3. No more lifetime or annual caps on coverage
4. Free preventative care for all
5. Adults with pre-existing conditions may buy into a national high-risk pool until the exchanges come online. While these will not be cheap, they’re still better than total exclusion and get some benefit from a wider pool of insureds.
6. Small businesses will be entitled to a tax credit for 2009 and 2010, which could be as much as 50% of what they pay for employees’ health insurance.
7. The “donut hole” closes for Medicare patients, making prescription medications more affordable for seniors.
8. Requirement that all insurers must post their balance sheets on the Internet and fully disclose administrative costs, executive compensation packages, and benefit payments.
9. Authorizes early funding of community health centers in all 50 states (Bernie Sanders’ amendment). Community health centers provide primary, dental and vision services to people in the community, based on a sliding scale for payment according to ability to pay.
AND
10. No more rescissions. Effective immediately, you can't lose your insurance because you get sick.
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