Health Care Reform
 

Our nation’s health care system has entered a new era with the recent enactment of federal health care reform. On March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law. On March 25, 2010, the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (HCEARA) of 2010, which revised certain provision of the PPACA, was passed by Congress and the massive overhaul of our nation’s health care system was put in motion. The Acts are intended to expand health insurance coverage to 32 million Americans who are currently uninsured, resulting in total health coverage of 95 percent of all Americans. This landmark legislation will result in many changes in how health care is financed and delivered for years to come. This Web page provides materials to help hospitals understand and comply with the new law, plan for the future, and communicate with their patients and communities about the impacts of health care reform. Resources NHA's Health Reform Executive Summary (PDF) Implementation Timeline (PDF)
Updates
Changes that went into effect September 23, 2010: Plans are prohibited from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. Plans are prohibited from dropping people when they get sick. Lifetime caps on coverage are banned. Annual limits on coverage are restricted. New private plans must provide free, preventative care. Easier access to appeals processes. New employer plans are prohibited from creating eligibility requirements that discriminate in favor of higher earners. Adult children can stay on parents' plan until they turn 26. Changes targeted to go into effect October 1, 2010: New funding for states to help individuals file complaints or appeals against insurance companies. Increased funding for state community health centers.
Contact Bruce Rieker, Vice President, Advocacy, or Nick Faustman, Director of Communications, at the NHA with questions.