Dispelling myths about the Affordable Care Act

What you should know about the Affordable Care Act was the topic of discussion Thursday night at a forum hosted by the Cleveland Heights Democrats.    Dr. Peter Degolia, from Universal Health Care Action Network of Ohio, and Attorney Gary Benjamin, from Akron Community Legal Aid, spoke to an audience of thirty at the Cleveland Heights Recreation Center, and dispelled myths and inaccuracies spread by opponents of this groundbreaking health care reform legislation.

With a ruling expected shortly from the United States Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, Dr. DeGolia emphasized that it is the “law of the land, and that the more we know about it, the more we like it.”

 “Before the Affordable Care Act, health care cost too much, covered too few, and excluded too many,” Dr. DeGolia stated.  Among the many positive features he discussed:

Insurers can no longer deny coverage to children and teens under 19 coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

In 2014, insurers will no longer be able to deny coverage to anyone or raise premiums based on health care history.

Until then, individuals with pre-existing conditions can get coverage through the new Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan.

The Act phases out yearly limits on benefits, and there will be no lifetime limits.

Individuals are protected from insurance cancellations.

Lower and middle income families will get help buying insurance through tax credits.

Young adults up to age 26 can now remain on a parent’s health insurance plan.

The Affordable Care Act creates consumer friendly state insurance marketplaces so families can shop for policies that best fit their needs.

Individuals insured through employers can continue to to receive their health care coverage through them and keep their same doctors.

First time preventitive screeings have no deductable.

It ends gender discrimination for women and reduces the age penalty for many older Americans not yet on Medicare.

Small business owners can now get decent, affordable coverage for their employees.

And insurers must now spend at least 80% of premium revenue on health care, instead of administrative cost.

 Gary Benjamin answered numerous questions regarding potential Supreme Court rulings on the Act, which has been challenged on constitutional grounds by many states with Republican Governors.  “The irony of this,” said Benjamin, “is that so many of them are implementing many aspects of the new law because it is saving them money and providing affordable coverage for large numbers of previously uninsured individuals.”

Surveys show that a majority of Americans oppose the Act, when asked yes or no, if they support it.  However, when asked individually about all of its components, Americans overwhelmingly support it, which is causing opponents to rethink the political consequences they may face at the polls in November, according to Benjamin, if the court overturns portions or the entire Act.