Standing Up and Learning

Freed from the lab bench, I started looking into policy research this semester. Right now, I am looking at writing a paper for Roosevelt's ten ideas about healthcare reform or more specifically, how to reduce costs, fraud, and waste in the healthcare system.

On Tuesday, I talked to someone about my interest in working to provide better, quality healthcare to those who need it the most--people who are poor and sometimes uninsured. This person said something about how the new healthcare bill does not do much to solve these problems, just provides money... or something along those lines about it being ineffective at addressing root problems with the system. I knew, from what I had read, that the healthcare reform act definitely does more than just hand out money to the poor. But, I didn't know what to say to him. I didn't feel confident enough to stand up for what I had learned and what I believed in. Needless to say, that was really frustrating.

So, now I'm digging deeper into learning about health policy. Here are some things I've learned about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the official name of the bill, which is not Obamacare). I thought I would share.

1. 1. Insurance companies are required to write out where money they receive is spent.

2. 2. Insurance companies cannot turn away a child under 19 for “pre-existing conditions.”

3. 3. Nutritional labeling is required on all food packages and restaurants.

4. 4. More money towards research, preventative care, and new medical treatments.

5. 5. No more lifetime caps, which means there is not a limit on the amount of money a person who needs it can use for treatment.

6. 6. Everyone is required to have medical insurance. If they choose not to buy it, they must pay a tax.

7. 7. Small companies (under 50 employees) that cover health insurance for at least 50% of their employees will get a subsidy from the government.

8. 8. Companies with more than 50 people who do not cover health insurance will have to pay a tax if their employees get insurance in the Exchange.

9. 9. An Exchange will be set up where insurance companies can compete to get business, and federal insurance will be an option.

10. People with pre-existing conditions will enter a high-risk pool to get insurance that is regulated by the government.

11. Act sets up a fraud team to detect misuse of Medicare money and medical waste.

12. Re-vamp the ‘fee-for-service’ which pays doctors by procedure to a bundle service.

Obviously, in life people disagree on things, but what is important is that we are educated in what we believe and stand up for it when it comes time to. I know the next time someone asks me about this act, I will have a much better idea of what to say and I will say it.

P.S. Here's a video about it for more info: http://healthreform.kff.org/the-animation.aspx

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