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Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Americas Health Care - Obama Care - Key Features of the Affordable Care Act - Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act

Finally! Some real info, as in... This is the date that the Affordable Care Act, goes into effect. Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace begins on October 1st 2013. And this is, kind of, sort of, what will happen... They are not telling us what our Health Care will Actually Cost. But, they want us to go ahead and sign up any way!:O What a Mess! But, it may be better than what we have had to deal with before. Still, that is yet to be seen... Depending on your Personal Insurance Plan or Lack there of. And of course... The Actual Cost of our Health Care Plans! One can Hope, Right???

Don

Key Features of the Affordable Care Act By Year - from HHS.gov/healthcare

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act. The law puts in place comprehensive health insurance reforms that will roll out over four years and beyond. Use the links below to learn about what’s changing and when:

OVERVIEW OF THE HEALTH CARE LAW

2010: A new Patient's Bill of Rights goes into effect, protecting consumers from the worst abuses of the insurance industry. Cost-free preventive services begin for many Americans.
See More 2010 Changes.

2011: People with Medicare can get key preventive services for free, and also receive a 50% discount on brand-name drugs in the Medicare “donut hole.”
See More 2011 Changes.

2012: Accountable Care Organizations and other programs help doctors and health care providers work together to deliver better care.
See More 2012 Changes.

2013: Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace begins on October 1st.
See More 2013 Changes.

2014: All Americans will have access to affordable health insurance options. The Marketplace will allow individuals and small businesses to compare health plans on a level playing field. Middle and low-income families will get tax credits that cover a significant portion of the cost of coverage. And the Medicaid program will be expanded to cover more low-income Americans. All together, these reforms mean that millions of people who were previously uninsured will gain coverage, thanks to the Affordable Care Act.
See More 2014 Changes.

Read More...
http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/timeline/timeline-text.html

What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?

The Marketplace is a new way to find health coverage that fits your budget and meets your needs. With one application, you can see all your options and enroll.

When you use the Health Insurance Marketplace, you'll fill out an application and find out if you can get lower costs on your monthly premiums for private insurance plans. You'll find out if you qualify for lower out-of-pocket costs.

The Marketplace will also tell you if you qualify for free or low-cost coverage available through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Open enrollment starts October 1, 2013. Plans and prices will be available then. Coverage starts as soon as January 1, 2014.

The Health Insurance Marketplace is sometimes known as the health insurance "exchange."

Compare options in the Health Insurance Marketplace

Insurance plans in the Marketplace are offered by private companies, and they cover the same core set of benefits called essential health benefits. No plan can turn you away or charge you more because you have an illness or medical condition. They must cover treatments for these conditions. Plans can't charge women more than men for the same plan.

Learn about the Marketplace in your state

While all insurance plans are offered by private companies, the Marketplace is run by either your state or the federal government. Find out if your state is operating the Marketplace by using the menu at the bottom of this page. If your state runs the Marketplace, you'll get health coverage through your state’s website, not this one.

The Marketplace simplifies getting health coverage

The Marketplace simplifies your search for health coverage by gathering the options available in your area in one place. You can compare plans based on price, benefits, quality, and other features important to you before you make a choice. You can also get help online, by phone, by chat, or in person. Call 1-800-318-2596, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (TTY: 1-855-889-4325)

Find a plan that fits your needs and budget

In the Marketplace information about prices and benefits, available October 1, 2013, will be written in simple language. You get a clear picture of what premiums you'd pay and what benefits and protections you'd get before you enroll. Compare plans based on what's important to you, and choose the combination of price and coverage that fits your needs and budget.

Get State Information

https://www.healthcare.gov/what-is-the-health-insurance-marketplace/

What is the Marketplace in my state?

No matter what state you live in, you'll be able to use the Marketplace to apply for coverage, compare your options, and enroll.

Use the menu below to learn about the Marketplace that will serve you.

Get State Information

Health Insurance Marketplace in Texas

If you live in Texas, you’ll use this website, HealthCare.gov, to apply for coverage, compare plans, and enroll. You can apply as early as October 1, 2013. Learn more about the Marketplace and how you can get ready.

Go there and Chose your State in the Drop Down Menu...
https://www.healthcare.gov/what-is-the-marketplace-in-my-state/

For Texas...
https://www.healthcare.gov/what-is-the-marketplace-in-my-state/#state=texas

This is the Main Site. Where you can Sign up...
https://www.healthcare.gov/

The New Health Care Law & You

Health Care Law Fact Sheets (link to main page)

http://www.aarp.org/health/health-care-reform/health_reform_factsheets/

Fact Sheet: What the Health Care Law Does for People Age 50 to 64

by: Education & Outreach, from: AARP, Updated August 2012

Get a Free Trunk Organizer or Travel Bag When You Join AARP – Ends Aug. 2

There’s a lot to learn about the health care law. AARP can help with clear, simple facts so you have the confidence of knowing you’re in control of your health care.

If you are 50-64 and have insurance, the law has new benefits and protections that help secure your family’s health and finances. If you are uninsured, there is a new way to get health coverage for you and your family. Depending on your income, financial help may also be available to cover some of the costs.

Read More...
http://www.aarp.org/health/health-care-reform/info-01-2011/the_new_health_care_law_what_it_does_for_people_ages_50_64.html

Fact Sheet: What the Health Care Law Means to People 65+

by: Education & Outreach, from: AARP, Updated January 2013

There’s a lot to learn about the health care law. AARP can help with clear, simple facts so you have the confidence of knowing you’re in control of your health care.

The law strengthens Medicare by including more preventive benefits, lowering the price of prescription drugs in the Part D doughnut hole and fighting waste and fraud.

Medicare is strengthened

  • Your guaranteed benefits are protected. You earned your Medicare over a lifetime of work. The health care law protects your guaranteed benefits so you can always get the care you need when you need it.

You get more from your Medicare

Read More...
http://www.aarp.org/health/health-care-reform/info-01-2011/the_new_health_care_law_what_it_does_now_for_people_65.html

Fact Sheet: A Time Line of the Health Care Law

What happens, when

http://www.aarp.org/health/health-care-reform/info-06-2010/fact_sheet_health_care_law_timeline.html

Or Go to www.HealthLawAnswers.org (Coming August 1, 2013)

Americas Health Care - Obama Care - Affordable Healthcare Act - Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law on March 23, 2010. The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 was passed by the House of Representatives on March 21, 2010
affordable healthcare act - Google Search
About the Law | HHS.gov/healthcare
Key Features of the Affordable Care Act | HHS.gov/healthcare
Key Features of the Affordable Care Act By Year | HHS.gov/healthcare
Affordable Health Care for America Act - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Health Insurance Marketplace, Affordable Care Act | HealthCare.gov
Affordable Care Act Summary
Affordable Care Act Tax Provisions
Health Care Reform Law Fact Sheets - Affordable Care Act, New Health Care Law, Medicare, Small Business - AARP
What the Health Care Law Means to People 65+ - AARP
Health Law Guide - Learn How Health Care Law Benefits You - AARP
Fact Sheet: What the Health Care Law Does for People Age 50 to 64 - AARP
Affordable Healthcare Act
Health Care that Works for Americans | The White House
What is the Health Insurance Marketplace | HealthCare.gov
What is the Marketplace in my state, Health Insurance Marketplace | HealthCare.gov
Fact Sheet: A Time Line of the Health Care Law - AARP
affordable healthcare act - Google Search
affordable healthcare act - Google Search
affordable healthcare act - Google Search

Affordable Health Care for America Act

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
For the U.S. health care legislation signed into law in 2010, see Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Health care reform in the United States
Latest enacted legislation
preceding legislation
This box:

The Affordable Health Care for America Act (or HR 3962)[1] was a bill that was crafted by the United States House of Representatives in November 2009. At the encouragement of the Obama administration, the 111th Congress devoted much of its time to enacting reform of the United States' health care system. Known as the "House bill," it was the House of Representative's chief legislative proposal during the health reform debate, but the Affordable Health Care for America Act as originally drafted never became law.

On December 24, 2009, the Senate passed an alternative health care bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590).[2] In 2010, the House abandoned its reform bill in favor of amending the Senate bill (via the reconciliation process) in the form of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.

Contents

Key provisions

The central changes that would have been made by the legislation had it been enacted included:

  • prohibiting health insurers from refusing coverage based on patients' medical histories[3][4]
  • prohibiting health insurers from charging different rates based on patients' medical histories or gender[3][4]
  • repeal of insurance companies' exemption from anti-trust laws[4][5]
  • establishing minimum standards for qualified health benefit plans[3]
  • requiring most employers to provide coverage for their workers or pay a surtax on the workers wage up to 8%
  • restrictions on abortion coverage in any insurance plans for which federal funds are used[4][6]
  • an expansion of Medicaid to include more low-income Americans by increasing Medicaid eligibility limits to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level and by covering adults without dependents as long as either or any segment doesn't fall under the narrow exceptions outlined by various clauses throughout the proposal, [7][8]
  • a subsidy to low- and middle-income Americans to help buy insurance[6]
  • a central health insurance exchange where the public can compare policies and rates[6]
  • allowing insurors to continue to dictate limits on evaluation and care provided consumers by their physicians ("managed" or "rationed" care)
  • avoidance of capitating or regulating premiums which are routinely and in accordance with this law, charged by an insurance company for coverage, which might make the coverage non-affordable with regard to a consumer's income[6]
  • requiring most Americans to carry or obtain qualifying health insurance coverage or face a fine for non-compliance.[3][9]
  • a 5.4% surtax on individuals whose adjusted gross income exceeds $500,000 ($1 million for married couples filing joint returns)[3]
  • a 2.5% excise tax on medical devices[3]
  • reductions in projected spending on Medicare of $400 billion over a ten-year period[4]
  • inclusion of language originally proposed in the Tax Equity for Domestic Partner and Health Plan Beneficiaries Act[10][11]
  • inclusion of language originally proposed in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2009.[12][13]
  • imposing a $2,500 limit on contributions to flexible spending accounts (FSAs), which allow for payment of health costs with pre-tax funds, to pay for a portion of health care reform costs.[3][14]

Comparison with Senate version

The main House reform bill was the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which passed November 7, 2009. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the Senate version, passed December 24.[15] The following table compares the two versions.


 House Senate Notes
New 10-Year Costs (billions)[15] $1,052 $848
Projected 10-year change in deficit (billions)[15] -$109 -$132 New costs minus new savings and revenue
Number uninsured by 2019 (millions)[15] 17 23 54 without bill
Public option[15] Yes No
Individual mandate[15] Yes Yes Penalty tax or fine if coverage not carried
(See Insurance subsidies below)
Employer mandate[15] Yes Yes Small businesses exempted
Abortion coverage[15] No Yes H: No in public option or subsidized plans;
may be covered by separate riders
S: Yes, but must be paid for separately without subsidies
New and increased taxes[15] Yes Yes H: Families with income > $1 million
S: High-cost insurance plans;
Wealthiest Americans Medicare taxes;
Indoor tanning tax
Insurance reforms[15] Yes Yes H: Remove anti-trust exemption
Both: Define qualified health benefit plan
Expand Medicaid[15] Yes Yes Max 2009 Income, Family of 4:
H: $33,000
S: $29,000.
Insurance subsidies[15] Yes Yes Prorated to $88,000 for family of 4 (2009)
H: Premium subsidies; S: Tax credits
Tax equity for domestic partners[16] Yes No

History

The bill was introduced on October 29, 2009 and passed on November 7, during the 1st Session of the 111th Congress. Its primary sponsor was the Dean of the House, John Dingell of Michigan. The bill is a revised version of an earlier measure, the proposed America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (HR 3200 [17][18]). The revisions included refinements designed to meet the goals outlined in the President's address to a joint session of Congress in September, 2009 concerning health care reform.

House actions

House voting map for H.R. 3962 where green indicates a 'Yes' and red a 'No'.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962, was introduced in the House of Representatives on October 29, 2009, and referred to several Committees for consideration.

On November 6, 2009, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce was discharged. The House Committee on Rules introduced House Resolution 903 (H.Res. 903) along with a Committee Report, No. 111-330. The Committee Report detailed the amendments considered as adopted if and when the bill passed the full House in Parts A & B; it provided the Stupak–Pitts Amendment for consideration in Part C as well as the Boehner Amendment, a substitute for the bill, in Part D. The House Resolution outlined the process to be followed for Parts A thru D in relation to H.R. 3962 and set the rules for debating the proposed bill.

The following day, House Resolution 903 was voted on and passed.[19] This, in effect, added the amendments outlined in Rules Committee Report No. 111-330, Parts A & B, to H.R. 3962. Part C, the Stupak–Pitts Amendment, was brought up, considered and passed.[20][21] Part D, the Boehner Substitute Amendment, was then brought up, considered but failed passage.[22][23]

The newly amended bill eventually passed the House of Representatives at 11:19 PM EST on Saturday, November 7, 2009, by a vote of 220-215. The bill passed with support of the majority of Democrats, together with one Republican who voted only after the necessary 218 votes had already been cast. Thirty-nine Democrats voted against the bill. All members of the House voted, and none voted "present".[24]

Both before and after passage in the House, significant controversy surrounded the Stupak–Pitts Amendment added to the bill to prohibit coverage of abortions – with limited exceptions – in the public option or in any of the exchange's private plans sold to customers receiving federal subsidies. In mid-November, it was reported that 40 House Democrats said they will not support a final bill containing the Amendment's provisions.[25] Stupak has said that 15–20 Democrats will oppose adoption of the Senate bill because of objections to its abortion provisions as well as its tax on high-value health insurance plans.[26][27] In March 2010, Stupak voted for the Senate language health-care bill excluding the Stupak Amendment language.

Senate actions

The Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962, as engrossed or passed by the House of Representatives, was received in the Senate, read into the record and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders (Calendar No. 210, Nov. 16, 2009).

H.R. 3962 as eventually enacted

A different bill, under the same bill number H.R. 3962, was eventually passed by Congress and, on June 25, 2010, was signed by the President. This is the "Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010."[28]

See also

References

  1. ^ (H.R. 3962
  2. ^ Pear, Robert (December 24, 2009). "Senate Passes Health Care Overhaul Bill". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 25 December 2009. Retrieved December 24, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Congressional Research Service (CRS) Summary of H.R. 3962 as introduced, the Library of Congress, October 29, 2009
  4. ^ a b c d e Espo, David (November 8, 2009). "Landmark health bill passes House on close vote". PhysOrg.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 11 November 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
  5. ^ H.R. 3962 Affordable Health Care for America Act, Division A, Title II, Subtitle F, Section 262, 111th Congress.
  6. ^ a b c d Hulse, Carl; Pear, Rolbert (November 7, 2009). "Sweeping Health Care Plan Passes House". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 26 November 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
  7. ^ H.R. 3962 Affordable Health Care for America Act, Division B, Title VII, Subtitle A (entire), 111th Congress.
  8. ^ Leary, Alex (November 12, 2009). "Health care reform: Where the House, Senate agree and disagree". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on 5 December 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
  9. ^ H.R. 3962 Affordable Health Care for America Act, Division A, Title V, Subtitle A, Part 1, Subpart A, Section 501, 111th Congress.
  10. ^ Cole, Michael (November 7, 2009). "House Passes Health Reform Bill with Key LGBT Provisions". Human Rights Campaign. Archived from the original on 12 November 2009. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
  11. ^ H.R. 3962 Affordable Health Care for America Act, Division A, Title V, Subtitle B, Part 3, Section 571, 111th Congress.
  12. ^ H.R. 3962 Affordable Health Care for America Act, Division D (entire), 111th Congress.
  13. ^ H.R. 2708 Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2009, 111th Congress
  14. ^ "A Comparison of House Senate Health Care Bills", Detroit Free Press, December 24, 2009
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Health-Care Reform: How the Bills Stack Up, The Washington Post, September 16, 2009 (updated December 24, 2009), Retrieved February 5, 2010
  16. ^ Moulton, Brian (18 March 2010). "House Posts Health Care Bill, Leaves Out LGBT-Specific Provisions". Human Rights Campaign. Archived from the original on 23 March 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  17. ^ (H.R. 3200)
  18. ^ Topline Changes From Introduced Bill to Blended Bill, (PDF), House Committee on Energy and Commerce, October 29, 2009.
  19. ^ Roll call vote 882, via Clerk.House.gov - H.Res.903: On Agreeing to the Resolution
  20. ^ H.Amdt. 509, the Stupak of Michigan Amendment
  21. ^ Roll call vote 884, via Clerk.House.gov - H.Amdt.509: On Agreeing to the Stupak of Michigan Amendment
  22. ^ H.Amdt. 510, the Boehner of Ohio Substitute Amendment
  23. ^ Roll call vote 885, via Clerk.House.gov - H.Amdt.510: On Agreeing to the Boehner of Ohio Substitute Amendment
  24. ^ Roll call vote 887, via Clerk.House.gov - H.R.3962: On Passage Affordable Health Care for America Act
  25. ^ MacGillis, Alec (November 14, 2009). "Health-care reform and abortion coverage: Questions and answers". Washington Post. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
  26. ^ Kantor, Jodi (January 6, 2010). "Abortion Foe Defies Party on Health Care Bill". New York Times. Retrieved January 7, 2010.
  27. ^ Weisman, Jonathan (February 24, 2010), "Stupak: 15-20 Dems Can’t Back Obama Health Plan", Washington Wire, The Wall Street Journal, Retrieved February 24, 2010
  28. ^ Public Law no. 111-192, summarized at [1]. For the full text of what was actually enacted under the heading "H.R. 3962," see [2].

External links

Latest Congressional Budget Office scoring (all previous scoring for now superseded; H.R. 3200 no longer applies)
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Estimates of the impact of H.R. 3962
Additional House committee generated information accompanying H.R. 3962 (November 6, 2009)

Go there...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affordable_Health_Care_for_America_Act

Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
Long title An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to Title II of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010 (S. Con. Res. 13).
Enacted by the  111th United States Congress
Citations
Public Law 111-152
Stat. 124 Stat. 1029 thru 124 Stat. 1084 (55 pages)
Codification
Act(s) amended Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Legislative history
  • Introduced in the House as H.R. 4872 by John Spratt (D-SC) on March 17, 2010
  • Committee consideration by: Budget
  • Passed the House on March 21, 2010 (220–211)
  • Passed the Senate on March 25, 2010 (56–43) with amendment
  • House agreed to Senate amendment on March 25, 2010 (220–207)
  • Signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 30, 2010
Health care reform in the United States
Latest enacted legislation
preceding legislation
This box:
House votes by congressional district.
  Democratic yea on both votes
  Democratic nay on both votes
  Democratic nay on first vote, not voting on second
  Republican nay on both votes
  Republican nay on first vote, not voting on second
  Republican nay on first vote, no representative seated on second
  No representative seated
Senate vote by state.
  Two Democratic yeas
  Two Democratic nays
  One Democratic yea, one Republican nay
  One Democratic nay, one Republican nay
  One Republican nay, one Republican not voting
  Two Republican nays

The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Pub.L. 111–152, 124 Stat. 1029) is a law that was enacted by the 111th United States Congress, by means of the reconciliation process, in order to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Pub.L. 111–148). It was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 30, 2010.[1]

The law also includes the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which was attached as a rider.[2] However, small technical parts of the bill relating to Pell Grants were removed during the reconciliation process.

Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law on March 23, 2010. The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 was passed by the House of Representatives on March 21, 2010, by a vote of 220–211, and on March 25, after having two minor provisions stricken under the Byrd Rule, passed the Senate by a vote of 56-43. A few hours later, the amended bill was passed by the House 220-207. President Obama signed the health care reconciliation bill into law on Tuesday, March 30, at Northern Virginia Community College.[3]

Contents

History

This section may be confusing or unclear. Please help clarify the article. Suggestions may be on the talk page. (March 2012)

By the end of 2009, separate health care reform bills had been passed by both houses of Congress. The Senate bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, became the most viable avenue to reform following the death of Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy and his replacement by Republican Scott Brown. Lacking a filibuster-proof supermajority in the Senate, the Obama administration and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi began encouraging the House to pass the Senate bill, then pass a new bill to amend it using the reconciliation process.[4]

Under the Fiscal Year 2010 budget resolution,[5] the text of the reconciliation bill submitted to the Budget Committee had to have been reported by the relevant Committees by October 15, 2009.[6] Therefore, the Democrats combined the text of America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 as reported out of the Ways and Means Committee, and as it was reported out of the Education and Labor Committee, and the text of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act as reported out of the Education and Labor Committee.[7][8] This version was never meant to be passed, it was only created so that the reconciliation bill would comply with the Budget resolution.[6] The bill was automatically amended to the version that was meant to be passed per the special rule that was reported out of the Rules Committee.[9] The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act was added to the Reconciliation Act as only one reconciliation bill can be passed each budget year, and it also faced a tough road through the Senate due to Republican filibuster and opposition from several centrist Democratic Senators.[10] The move was also thought to give President Obama two key victories in overhauling the health care and student loan system. It also eventually became clear that the budget savings caused by the student loan bill would become essential to the overall reconciliation bill by reducing the deficit enough for the overall bill to qualify for the reconciliation process.[10]

Passage of the legislation in the United States House of Representatives using the self-executing rule method was considered but rejected by House Democrats. Instead, on March 21, 2010, the House held a series of votes: the first vote on ordering the previous question on the special rule resolution that set the terms of debate, the second on the rule itself, the third on the Senate bill, the fourth on a minority attempt to amend the reconciliation bill itself, and finally a vote on the reconciliation bill itself.[11] The reconciliation bill passed on a vote of 220–211, with all 178 Republicans and 33 Democrats voting against it.[12]

In the Senate, the bill faced numerous amendments made by the Republicans, all of which failed. However, the Republicans had two provisions dealing with Pell Grants stricken from the bill due to violations of budget reconciliation rules, forcing the bill to return to the House.[13] The two provisions were: The fourth paragraph of Sec. 2101(a)(2)(C) and Sec. 2101(a)(2)(D).[14][15] On March 25, the bill passed the Senate by a 56–43 vote, with all Republicans and 3 Democrats voting against it.[16] The only Democratic Senators to vote against were: Lincoln (D-AR), Nelson (D-NE) & Pryor (D-AR). Later in the same day the House passed the modified bill by a 220–207 vote, sending it to President Obama for a signature.[17]

Provisions

The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act is divided into two titles, one addressing health care reform and the other addressing student loan reform.

Amending the Senate's Healthcare Bill

The Reconciliation bill makes several changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that was signed into law on March 23, 2010. These changes include the following,[18]

  • Increasing the tax credits to buy insurance
  • Eliminates several of the special deals given to senators, such as Ben Nelson's "Cornhusker Kickback"
  • Lowers the penalty for not buying insurance from $750 to $695
  • Closes the Medicare Part D "donut hole" by 2020 and gives seniors a rebate of $250.
  • Delays the implementation on taxing "Cadillac health-care plans" until 2018
  • Requires doctors who treat Medicare patients be reimbursed at the full rate
  • Sets up a medicare tax on the unearned incomes of families that earn more than $250,000 annually.
  • Offer more generous subsidies to lower income groups. Households below 150% of the federal poverty level would pay 2% to 4% of their income on premiums. Health plans would cover 94% of the cost of benefits.[19] Households with incomes from 150% to 400% of the federal poverty level ($88,200 for a family of four) would pay on a sliding scale from 4% to 9.8% of their income on premiums, rest will be covered by government advanceable, refundable tax credit. Health plans would cover 70% of the cost of the benefits.[19][20]
  • In 2014, if a company with more than 50 workers does not offer coverage, they will be obligated to pay $2,000 for each full-time worker in the company, exempting the money due for the first 30 employees. For example, an employer with 53 workers will pay the penalty for 23 workers, or $46,000.[19]
  • Would increase Medicaid payment rates to primary care doctors to match Medicare payment rates, which are higher, in 2013 and 2014.[19]
  • The federal government would pay all of the costs of expanding Medicaid under the reform until 2016, 95% in 2017, 94% in 2018, 93% in 2019, and 90% thereafter. Some states that already insure childless adults under Medicaid would receive more federal money for covering that group through 2018.
  • The Medicare patients will receive 50% discount on brand-name drugs would begin in 2011. By 2020, the government would pay to provide up to 75% discount on brand-name and generic drugs, eventually closing the coverage gap.[19]
  • Would extend the ban on lifetime limits and rescission of coverage to all existing health plans within six months after signing into Law.[19]

Student loan reform

Title II of the reconciliation bill deals with student loan reform. The language is very similar to the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act that passed the House in 2009; but with some slight variation. The reform package includes,[21]

  • Ends the process of the federal government giving subsidies to private banks to give out federally insured loans. Instead loans will be administered directly by the Department of Education.[22]
  • Increases the Pell Grant scholarship award.
  • For new borrowers of loans starting in 2014, those who qualify will be able to cap the amount they must spend on loan repayment each month to 10% of their discretionary income (current cap is 15%.)[21]
  • Also, for new borrowers after 2014, loans will be eligible to be forgiven to those who make timely payments after 20 years (the current time-frame being 25 years).[21]
  • Will make it easier for parents to take out federal PLUS loans for students.[23]
  • Several billion dollars will be used to fund schools that predominantly serve poor and minority students, as well as increasing community college funding.[22]

Tax avoidance

The law codified the "economic substance" rule of Gregory v. Helvering (1935) which allows the IRS to invalidate tax avoidance transactions in certain situations.[24]

Deficit effect

The Congressional Budget Office's last estimate predicted that if both bills were passed into law in 2010, the net reduction in federal deficits would be $143 billion over the 2010–2019 period as a result of the proposed changes in direct spending and revenues. That figure comprises $124 billion in net reductions deriving from the health care and revenue provisions and $19 billion in net reductions deriving from the education provisions.[25] The health care and revenue provisions consist in part of several new taxes, fees on health-related industries, and cuts in government spending on healthcare programs like Medicare Advantage.[26]

See also

References

  1. ^ The Washington Post on washingtonpost.com, March 30, 2010.
  2. ^ Text of H.R.4872 as Reported in House: Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 - U.S OpenCongress
  3. ^ "Obama To Sign Health Care Reconciliation Bill".
  4. ^ Gay, Sheryl (March 17, 2010). "Health Vote Caps a Journey Back From the Brink". The New York Times (NYTimes.com). Retrieved March 21, 2010.
  5. ^ "Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2010 - S.CON.RES.13".
  6. ^ a b Klein, Philip (2010-03-15). "The Health Care "Shell" Game Begins". The American Spectator. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  7. ^ HR443P1.PS
  8. ^ HR443P2.PS
  9. ^ http://www.rules.house.gov/111/RuleRpt/111_hr4872_rpt.pdf
  10. ^ a b Brown, Carrie Budoff. "Loan bill could give Obama twin win". Fredericksburg.com. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  11. ^ "COMMITTEE ON RULES - Senate Amendments to H.R. 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act H.R. 4872 Reconciliation Act of 2010". Rules.house.gov. Retrieved March 21, 2010.
  12. ^ Roll call vote 167, via Clerk.House.gov
  13. ^ Health Care Fix-It Bill Headed for Revote
  14. ^ http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h4872eas.txt.pdf
  15. ^ http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h4872pcs.txt.pdf
  16. ^ Roll call vote 105, via Senate.gov
  17. ^ Roll call vote 194, via Clerk.House.gov
  18. ^ BREAKING - Reconciliation bill posted - Live Pulse - POLITICO.com
  19. ^ a b c d e f Hossain, Farhana (March 19, 2010). "Proposed Changes in the Final Health Care Bill". The New York Times.
  20. ^ "Policies to Improve Affordability and Accountability". The White House.
  21. ^ a b c http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2010/03/student-loan-reform-whats-in-i.shtml#more
  22. ^ a b "What would change if student lending legislation passes". The Washington Post. March 26, 2010.
  23. ^ Big Changes Coming to Student Loans - US News and World Report
  24. ^ Rose CA. Tax Lawyer’s Dilemma: Recent Developments Heighten Tax Lawyer Responsibilities and Liabilities. Columbia Business Law Review. Volume 2011, Issue 1.
  25. ^ "Cost Estimate for Pending Health Care Legislation". CBO Director's Blog. Retrieved March 21, 2010.
  26. ^ "Health care reform bill 101: Who will pay for reform?". Retrieved March 22, 2010.

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