Posted: 4:32 AM EST Dec 24, 2013
Updated: 12:25 PM EDT Sep 20, 2013
Affordable Care Act overviewThe Affordable Care Act is the nation's health reform law enacted in March 2010. It contains numerous provisions designed to expand health coverage to 30 million Americans; increase benefits and lower costs for consumers; provide new funding for public health and prevention; bolster our health care and public health workforce and infrastructure; foster innovation and quality in our system, and more.Many Americans have misgivings about the Affordable Care Act. A CNN/ORC poll conducted in September 2013 showed support for the law at 39 percent, down from 51 percent in January 2013. Opponents say the country can't afford the ACA. They say it won't cut the cost of health care, but will expand the deficit, weaken the economy and cause employers to cut jobs. The Republican-led House of Representatives has voted dozens of times to repeal all or part of the law, but those efforts have gone nowhere in the Senate, where Democrats have the majority. President Barack Obama has postponed implementation of the so-called employer mandate until 2015, but shows no indication he will back down on what many consider to be the signature accomplishment of his first term.
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The law consists of two pieces of legislation: the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (HCERA). Jointly they are referred to as the Affordable Care Act or ACA. The information below comes from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.How the ACA may affect MichiganBecause of the Affordable Care Act, the 86 percent of Michiganders who have insurance will have more coverage choices than ever before. And for the 14 percent of Michiganders who don't have insurance, or Michigan families and small businesses who buy their coverage but aren't happy with it, change is coming.Soon, the new online Health Insurance Marketplace will provide families and small businesses that currently don't have insurance, or are looking for a better deal, a new way to find health coverage that fits their needs and their budgets.Open enrollment in the Marketplace starts Oct. 1, with coverage starting as soon as Jan. 1, 2014. But Michigan families and small businesses can visit HealthCare.gov right now to find the information they need to prepare for open enrollment.The ACA provides Michiganders:Cheaper prescription drugs for people with Medicare$48,999,065 in total savings for 84,168 seniors, averaging $582.16 in savings per person in 2011Free preventive services1,849,000 people and 1,123,354 seniors with Medicare get preventive services for freeNo more lifetime limits on care3,547,000 people no longer have a lifetime limit on their careHealth insurance on your parent's plan57,527 more young adults under age 26 now have insurance on their parent's planNew rules on how insurers spend premiums2,521,000 people protected by the 80/20 rule that requires insurers to spend 80 percent of premiums on care and qualityCoverage through a pre-existing condition insurance plan789 people who were uninsured because of a pre-existing condition now have coverageAffordable Insurance Exchange$10,849,077 to help states build new marketplaces where consumers will have the same kinds of choices as members of CongressMoney for public health$21,800,000 in grants to improve public healthCommunity health centers$41,300,000 to support and expand community health centers
Does the Affordable Care Act require you to get health insurance? Click to find out. And…
What are your options under the Affordable Care Act if you can't afford health insurance…
If you're on Medicare, how will the new Affordable Care Act affect you? Click to find out…
Will the health care reform law force you to change doctors? Click to find out. And click…
Does the Affordable Care Act allow you to keep the insurance you already have? Click to…
What kind of benefits can you expect under the health care reform law? Click to find out.…
Can your agent who handles your auto-home-life policies enroll you in health coverage?…
Will your past health problems affect your ability to get coverage? Click to find out.…
Can your employer cut your hours because of the Affordable Care Act? Click to find out.…
Can your adult child be covered by your health insurance policy under the Affordable Care…
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