Thursday, July 01, 2010

Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan

A Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan is ready.

ProgressOhio:

U.S. Representative Mary Jo Kilroy today announced the establishment of a new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) which earlier had been referred to as the High Risk Pool program and the launch of HealthCare.gov, a comprehensive website designed to guide consumers through the benefits of health care reform.

For far too long, people with pre-existing conditions had nowhere to turn and this program will help many of them find the coverage they need,” said Kilroy.  “With so much information to process about health care reform the web tool helps people understand their options and how they stand to benefit.  Families and small businesses can now easily seek out insurance options available to them to make informed decisions about their health care with thorough, unbiased information.”

Established by the Affordable Care Act, the PCIP is a transitional program until 2014, when insurers will be banned from discriminating against adults with pre-existing conditions.  The PCIP will provide a new health coverage option for Americans who have been uninsured for at least six months, have been unable to get health coverage because of a pre-existing condition, and are a U.S. citizen or are residing in the United States legally.  29 states including Ohio have chosen to operate their own PCIP program.  The remaining 21 states have elected to have HHS run their program.  Information about the PCIP in Ohio can be found at http://www.healthcare.gov/law/about/states/oh.html......


Yet Republicans are against this health care reform law?  Republican Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist, wants to repeal it.


*  The filibustering of the unemployment compensation extension bill by Republicans in the U.S. Senate is causing some unemployed Republicans to question their party affiliation.  See DailyKos for the story.

* Looking to make a counter demonstration when Kasich marches in the Ashville Parade on July 4th?  Bring your Strickland signs, pro-Democratic signs, and your anti-Lehman Brothers signs to bring out when Kasich and his people go by.