Last week I spoke to lawyers, retired judges and others at a local bar association meeting about the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" (the "ACA"). As I spoke about the availability of high risk insurance coverage, the Elder Justice Act, parents' health insurance for children up to age 26, Long-Term Care insurance, the support for young families (including college students), and the ultimate effect that supporting and encouraging young families to have children by removing financial and health insurance barriers through providing health insurance and other benefits, it was clear that my audience was hearing this material for the first time. WHY?
It wasn't their fault. Congress passed and President Obama signed a comprehensive health care reform act and the only thing the public heard were a few words from the administration about its benefits and a lot of words from the right about its high costs. The administration spent a lot of time demonizing insurers, provider groups and our existing system but failed to support champions out in the field explaining to groups of citizens why the ACA was specifically in their interests.
In visiting with my Texas family this past week, I heard that a member who has a vital interest in maternity coverage, could not find an insurer who would provide it at a reasonable affordable cost. Thus, her entire concept of health reform is that it has resulted in escalating costs and insurance unavailability. She was right in her observation that her interest in health insurance with maternity benefits is important for her and her family and for our country. So it's time for the Administration to address her issue and at the same time champion provisions of the ACA which are good for American businesses and individuals.
Health care is not a game of golf- 18 holes and a visit to the clubhouse for lunch and drinks. American lives and security are at stake. Mr. Obama, treat health care as a continuing important subject. Commit the resources to champion the benefits that each American will - at some point in his or her life - experience in the ACA.
Otherwise, Americans will face the bleak prospect of unaffordable health care while the lobbyists celebrate victory at their clubhouses.
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Good points. One clarification, the issue with maternity coverage is that, at least in Texas, a woman on an individual health plan cannot obtain coverage for maternity related expenses. It is not a question of price, it is an issue of availability. If/when we have another child, we will have to pay all pre-natal and delivery costs out of pocket.
An additional point. When we were recently shopping for that same individual health coverage, the price difference for plans with an effective date of 9/15 versus 10/1 was significant, at least 7-10%. The difference in cost is solely attributable to the fact that certain provisions of the health bill took effect on 10/1.
So yes, championing the benefits of the bill is important. Our experience with it is that the legislation has driven up health insurance costs and fails to address an incredibly basic need - to make available health coverage during pregnancy and at birth. For us, the bill is a failure.
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