Affordable Care Act Update 3-26-2013 MyCity4Her

Update on the Affordable Care Act by Senator Barbara Mikulski

Senator Barbara Mikulski, United States Senator for Maryland

MyCity4Her knows the Affordable Care Act may not be everyone’s favorite piece of legislation, however we felt compelled to share the recent update from Senator Mikulski because whether you like it or not, the Affordable Care Act is making a difference for women and health care, and thus it is important to be aware of the facts.

If you’re a business owner, or female entrepreneur this may impact you on multiple levels and we know some of them may not all make you warm and fuzzy. Regardless, at the end of the day more women are having access to affordable care than ever before and with this in mind here are Senator Mikulski’s thoughts…

Three years ago, we passed health care reform. It was the first time in history that we committed to ending the abuses of the insurance industry and covering every single American.  That’s a very big deal.

It is also a very big deal for women.

Fast Facts

The Affordable Care Act Means:

Insurance companies will no longer be able to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing condition.
Insurance companies will no longer be able to charge women more for individual health coverage.
If you have children under age 26, you can insure them if your policy allows for dependent coverage.
Insurance companies will no longer be able to impose a lifetime dollar limit on essential health benefits.
Preventive care is provided without copays.
Insurance companies must justify unreasonable rate hikes.

In Maryland

The Affordable Care Act will expand health insurance coverage by establishing a Health Insurance Marketplace in every state and increasing access to the Medicaid program. 480,527 of Maryland’s non-elderly residents are uninsured, of whom 420,218 may qualify for either tax credits to purchase coverage in the Marketplace or for Medicaid if Maryland participates in the Medicaid expansion.

46,000 young adults in Maryland gained insurance coverage as a result of the health care law.

48,949 individuals in Maryland saved over $37.5 million on Medicare prescription drugs, or an average of $768 per beneficiary.

In 2011 and 2012, 1,518,000 Marylanders with private health insurance gained preventive service coverage with no cost-sharing or copays.

Already, 2,251,000 Marylanders are free from worrying about lifetime limits on coverage.

Useful Links

Senator Mikulski’s Floor Statement Following Supreme Court’s Decision to Uphold the Affordable Care Act
Senator Mikulski’s Statement at the Supreme Court Following Decision to Uphold the Affordable Care Act
Senator Mikulski’s Floor Statement Announcing New Preventive Health Coverage for Women
Mikulski Applauds Announcement that 141,000 Marylanders to Get Rebate Averaging $340 Through Health Care Reform Law
The Health Care Law and You – Information from the Department of Health and Human Services
AARP Health Care Reform Information
National Women’s Law Center Fact Sheets on Health Care Reform

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