As a Barack Obama LGBT Delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention, I would like to share these documents with you.
There are talking points at the bottom for:
Health Reform for American Families
Health Reform for Small Businesses
Health Reform for Children
Health Reform for Women
Health Reform for Young Adults
Health Reform for Seniors
Health Reform for African Americans
Health Reform for Latinos
The Affordable Care Act and LGBT Americans
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act and set into place an effort that will help give all Americans, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans, more control over their health care. Historically, many LGBT individuals have been misunderstood, ignored, openly discriminated against, or otherwise mistreated in our health care system. Through these new reforms, LGBT Americans will have better access to stable, affordable health insurance and high quality health care, while seeing relief from skyrocketing health insurance costs.
New Coverage Options
There is some evidence suggesting that at least a portion of the LGBT community is disproportionately uninsured. This makes the new coverage options under the Affordable Care Act that much more important to them. The Affordable Care Act is making new coverage options available to Americans, including those without access to coverage through a spouse, domestic partner, or employer and those with pre-existing health conditions:
- Already, qualifying Americans who are uninsured due to a pre-existing health condition have access to health insurance at a standard rate through Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans.
- Young adults are able to remain on a parent’s health plan until they turn 26 if the plan covers dependent children and if coverage isn’t offered to them through their job.
- In 2014, Americans with income at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level will be eligible for Medicaid coverage. This expansion will increase access to care for low-income adults.
- Also in 2014, health insurance Exchanges, new competitive insurance marketplaces, will be established where millions of Americans and small businesses will be able to purchase affordable coverage and have the same choices of insurance that members of Congress will have. Tax credits will help middle class families afford health insurance.
New Patient Protections
The new law has already made significant progress toward ending some of the worst insurance company abuses and helping ensure that LGBT Americans have access to coverage when they need it. For example, the Affordable Care Act ends lifetime dollar limits on key benefits and restricts annual dollar limits until they are ended in 2014, allowing for long-term comprehensive treatment of chronic diseases. Many studies have shown that individuals in the LGBT community are impacted by chronic disease at a higher rate than their heterosexual counterparts.
LGBT individuals have encountered discrimination in the health care system for decades. Now, new benefits will make it easier for consumers to get and keep their health coverage. For example, the Affordable Care Act prohibits insurance companies from refusing coverage to, or limiting the benefits of, children (under age 19) because of a pre-existing medical condition. In 2014, the prohibition on pre-existing medical condition exclusions will be expanded to cover all individuals. And the law prohibits insurance plans from canceling an individual’s coverage just because of a mistake on your paperwork.
Preventive Care for Better Health
The Affordable Care Act is taking significant steps towards improving access to preventive care. New health plans now must cover recommended preventive care services without charging deductibles, co-payments or co-insurance.
In addition, the Affordable Care Act is funding preventive efforts for communities, including millions of dollars to use evidence-based interventions to address tobacco control, obesity prevention, HIV-related health disparities, and better nutrition and physical activity. The Department of Health and Human Services intends to work with community centers serving the LGBT community to ensure the deployment of proven prevention strategies.
Improving Care and Fighting Disparities
The Affordable Care Act is making other investments that will help address health disparities experienced by the LGBT community. Funding is going to build a more diverse and culturally competent health care workforce, as well as invest in community health centers to serve up to 20 million more patients. And through increased research and data collection on health disparities, policymakers will have the knowledge and tools they need to continue to target resources to LGBT communities.
Small Business Tax Credits
The Affordable Care Act helps small business and small tax-exempt organizations afford the cost of providing health coverage for their employees. Americans who own a small business with fewer than 25 employees and provide health insurance may qualify for a small business tax credit of up to 35% (up to 25% for non-profits) to offset the cost of the insurance. This will make the cost of providing insurance much lower.
HIV/AIDS
Historically, people living with HIV and AIDS, many of whom are LGBT Americans, have had a difficult time obtaining private health insurance and have been particularly vulnerable to insurance industry abuses. Currently, fewer than one in five (17%) people living with HIV have private insurance and nearly 30% do not have any coverage. The Affordable Care Act now makes it easier for people living with HIV/AIDS to get coverage through the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans, and for children to get insurance regardless of their health status. The ban on pre-existing condition exclusions will extend to all Americans in 2014, along with expanded Medicaid eligibility, the creation of Health Insurance Exchanges, and new tax credits for middle class families to help them afford insurance.
People with HIV/AIDS also face barriers to obtaining care from qualified providers. Consistent with the goals of the President’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy, the Affordable Care Act makes considerable strides in addressing these concerns and advancing equality for people living with HIV and AIDS. Investments in prevention, as well as improving care coordination, will help people living with HIV and AIDS get the treatment they need.
To learn more about the new benefits and cost savings available to you, please visit www.HealthCare.gov. A first-of-its-kind website, www.HealthCare.gov helps you make informed decisions about health care coverage by offering easy-to-understand information about which health plans are available in your area, how much they cost, what they cover, and additional information tailored to your specific needs.
Posted: January 25, 2011
Health Reform for American Families
Health Reform for Small Businesses
Health Reform for Children
Health Reform for Women
Health Reform for Young Adults
Health Reform for Seniors
Health Reform for African Americans
Health Reform for Latinos
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