Health Reform News

Learn How Health Care Legislation Impacts Your Small Business

• CBO Proactively Anticipates Lawmakers’ Needs, Says CBO Director

  Thursday, July 28, 2011

  At a recent joint Coalition for Affordable Health Coverage and U.S. Chamber of Commerce event, Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Elmendorf said the agency has begun to research the effectiveness of healthy behavior on controlling health care costs.

• American Medical Association Support For Individual Mandate Hasn’t Changed, Says President

  Monday, July 11, 2011

  The American Medical Association’s House of Delegates recently voted to reaffirm its support for “individual responsibility” in the purchase of health insurance provided that individuals unable to afford insurance have assistance available to them, according to President Cecil B. Wilson.

• Affordable Care Act Makes Preventive Services More Accessible To Americans

  Wednesday, July 6, 2011

  Under the Affordable Care Act (PL 111-148), if you and your family enrolled in a new health plan on or after September 23, 2010, your insurance provider is now required to cover certain recommended preventive services without charging you a co-pay, co-insurance or deductible.

• Americans With Pre-Existing Health Conditions Gain Health Coverage

  Wednesday, July 6, 2011

  Although the Affordable Care Act (PL 111-148) became law in March 2010, many of its provisions will not go into effect until as late as 2014. One provision of the legislation that has yet to take effect is a new consumer protection provision that prevents private insurance companies from discriminating against or refusing insurance to patients with pre-existing health conditions.

• House Members Urge Administration to Support Health IT for Small Physician Practices

  Wednesday, July 6, 2011

  The administration’s health IT program has given doctors and hospital officials financial incentives to adopt Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems that meet federal standards, but lawmakers on the House Small Business Committee’s Subcommittee on Healthcare and Technology are questioning whether the Obama administration has done enough to help physicians in small practices.

• Commonwealth Fund: Affordable Care Act Making A Difference For Young Adults

  Wednesday, July 6, 2011

  Young adults lack health insurance at the highest rate of any age group, and have the lowest rate of access to employer-based insurance. However, a recent study from The Commonwealth Fund found that the Affordable Care Act (PL 111-148) is already making a difference for them.

• HHS Debuts Web Portal With Health Information For Consumers

  Thursday, July 8, 2010

  In accordance with the health reform law, HHS has launched HealthCare.gov, an informational website for consumers.

• Insurance Coverage For Young Adults: A Guide To Health Reform Changes

  Thursday, June 3, 2010

  The health reform law includes a provision allowing adult children to receive health coverage under their parents' insurance policies until age 26.

• Study Finds Some Doctors Order Unnecessary Tests Because Of Malpractice Fears

  Friday, April 23, 2010

  A study recently released by the medical journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes found that about one in four heart doctors say they order medical tests that may be unnecessary because they are afraid of being sued.

• HHS Secretary Sebelius Explains Health Reform

  Wednesday, April 7, 2010

  Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), recently spoke about the new health reform legislation.