NEW YORK (WPIX)—
Despite a unified Republican party that voted against the proposed overhaul to the country's health care system, the House gave final approval to the historic bill Sunday, with a 219-to-212 vote.It has been a year-long fight for President Barack Obama and the Democratic party and has become the hallmark of his presidency. The 10-year, $938 billion bill will give coverage to 32 million Americans without health insurance.
As Obama prepares to sign the measure Tuesday, many in our area want to know how the bill will immediately impact them.
"Thousands and thousands of New Yorkers are going to have health insurance who didn't have it before, small businesses are going to get a tax incentive to provide insurance and simply put, the economy is going to have a chance to start getting jump-started," said Congressman Anthony Weiner.
The following changes can be expected in the short term:
PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS: There will be $5 billion set aside to provide temporary coverage for uninsured people with pre-existing conditions, including children.
DEPENDENT CHILDREN: Children can now be covered on their parents' insurance plan up to the age of 26.
ELIMINATION OF CAPS: Insurance companies will not be allowed to set coverage caps for severe illnesses, including cancer.
APPEALS PROCESS: Those who feel they were unfairly denied coverage by their insurance company will be able to appeal to an independent panel.
MEDICARE DRUG BENEFITS: Seniors currently not covered by Medicare Part D drug benefits will receive $250 to help pay for prescriptions.
The bill was easily approved by New York's Congressional Delegation with 25 of the 29 members voting for the proposed legislation. However, in New York many of the proposed changes are already in practice. For example, in New York children can already remain on their parents' policies through their late twenties, New Yorkers currently can't be denied insurance because of pre-existing conditions, and the state boasts some of the tightest insurance regulations.
