Sunday, April 07, 2013

As doctors, we experience firsthand the challenges of caring for our patients in an environment that has been controlled for too long by the insurance companies.

Doctors can count on more control (click here) over patient decisions, and less uncompensated care and denied payment for their patients:

• Insurers are prohibited from denying coverage to children based on pre‐existing conditions (effective September 23, 2010).

• Insurers are prohibited from discriminating due to pre‐existing conditions in adults (effective January 1, 2014).

• Coverage for young adults is extended. Young adults can stay on their parents’ plan until they turn 26 years old (effective September 23, 2010).

• Insurance companies are prohibited from rescinding coverage (effective September 23, 2010)

• Lifetime limits on insurance coverage are eliminated (effective September 23, 2010).

• Annual limits on insurance coverage are eliminated (effective January 1, 2014).

• The Medicare Part D Prescription Drug coverage gap (“donut hole”) is closed
(phased in from 2010 until 2020)....

Besides RETURNING COMPASSION to the health care of Americans, the Affordable Care Act RECOGNIZES the sincere SHORTAGE of Primary Care Physicians. It provides, or at least is suppose to provide (if the Republicans don't undermine every aspect of this law) funding for the education of new Primary Care Physicians.

I am tired of the misrepresentation of this LAW as an enemy of the people of the USA for political purposes. Enough. It is the best law that has ever happened to the USA.

...Begins to address our shortage of doctors and nurses:

• Creates new incentives to expand the number of primary care doctors, nurses and physician assistants. These include funding for scholarships, loan repayments for primary care doctors and nurses working in under served areas, and tax relief (effective 2010).

• Increases payments for rural health care professionals to help them continue to serve their communities (effective 2010).

Anyone who states The Affordable Care Act causes physicians to leave a Primary Care Practice is LYING. This law encourages physicians to provide Primary Care and enter the practice of same. There are incentives within the law to encourage Primary Care practice by physicians and Nurse Practitioners as well.

Nurse Practitioners often serve the under served in our country. This law empowers that practice and provides every reason for a nurse to continue their education beyond providing bedside care.

The Republicans and Right Wing Media are lying to Americans.