We’ve sacrificed our blood, sweat, and tears to ensure people with disabilities and other pre-existing conditions––and all Americans––have access to affordable healthcare coverage. Our fight is almost over, but don’t take your gloves off just yet.
- No more denials for preexisting conditions
- No more insurance caps when you need treatment
- Access to affordable health coverage
More
Late Sunday, the House passed landmark healthcare reform legislation. There is one final piece of the puzzle, however, that needs to be put in place. And each of us has the obligation to make it happen. Tell your Senators to vote for the House reconciliation bill, separate legislation that offers “fixes” to the Senate’s healthcare reform legislation.
We all can agree that health reform is not perfect. You may love it, or you may hate it. But one thing is for sure, it’s much better than the alternative.
Click here to make a free call to both of your Senators.
If we don’t pass health reform now, employers and individuals will soon be priced out of coverage as health insurers continue to raise premiums by up to 39% per year. And insurance companies will continue to refuse coverage––or make it ridiculously expensive––for people with disabilities and other pre-existing conditions. They can also refuse to cover you––no matter how much you need it––after you exceed their lifetime caps.
Tell both of your Senators to rise to the challenge and finally make Teddy Roosevelt’s Dream of nearly a century ago a reality! Help all Americans––including people with disabilities and pre-chronic conditions who are so often shut out of coverage––live without the fear of getting sick or being locked out from receiving therapies vital to their quality of life and independence.
It’s time to stop listening to the “gloom and doom” media reports and political speeches, and start realizing the intrinsic value of this long overdue legislation.
The Facts:
- With health reform, starting in 2014 (we know that seems like a long time from now), insurance companies will not be able to use a disability or condition to deny health coverage. In the meantime, many people with preexisting conditions will be able to get insurance through a high-risk insurance pool. And many people with disabilities who cannot afford health insurance will qualify for care under expanded Medicaid.
- Health reform will also do away with lifetime caps on health insurance. Many insurance companies have a $1 million dollar life time cap on benefits ––often easily exceeded after a spinal cord injury or for other serious conditions. With the passage of health reform insurance companies can no longer cut you off from insurance coverage.
- Health reform will help enable people with disabilities receive services that let them stay in their home and community instead of going into a nursing home or spending all their money so they can qualify for Medicaid.
Proud that both of my NY senators are indicating that they’re on board.
And both of mine too from California.
This health care reform bill is not perfect, but no one ever gets everything one wants in a major piece of legislation. It’s important not to let perfect be enemy of the good. It will be such a huge relief when people with disabilities and other pre-existing conditions finally will be treated fairly in the health insurance market.