Cover Everyone
A healthy America starts with health care that is affordable and available to all. According to the US Census Bureau the number of people without health insurance coverage rose from 45.7 million (15.3%) in 2007 to 46.3 million (15.8%) in 2008. Giving kids a healthy start in life results in better students becoming more productive workers in our society. Keeping workers healthy through routine visits to health care providers, chronic disease screenings, and preventative care produces a globally-competitive workforce and that helps us all.
Health Insurance Coverage Protection Act
Medical expenditures have grown much faster than general inflation, especially for those with chronic diseases. Individuals with high medical costs are often forced to make drastic choices that affect their employment, place of residence, or even family life. The Health Insurance Coverage Act, introduced in Congress in 2009, would substantially increase the minimum lifetime cap on health insurance.
In May 2009, Senator Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced the Annual and Lifetime Health Care Limit Elimination Act of 2009, which would eliminate lifetime and annual caps altogether. This concept was included in the health care reform bill that was signed into law on March 23, 2010.
Click here to read NHC letters of support and position statements.
State Child Health Insurance Program
The National Health Council and its members want to ensure that millions of additional American children obtain access to the type of preventive health care coverage that can improve their quality of life and lower their costs for care as they mature. The legislation was passed by Congress and signed into law on February 4, 2009.
Click here to read NHC letters of support and position statements.
Medicare
Medicare is a health care program administered by the United States government, providing coverage to people who are aged 65 and over, or who meet other special criteria.
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 was supported by the NHC and contained many benefits for people with chronic conditions. Relevant sections, as described in a Center for Medicare Advocacy summary, include the following:
- Provisions for Low-Income Individuals: Low-income Subsidy and Medicare Savings Program: Effective 2010, the bill increases the assets test for the Medicare Savings Program to the level currently used by Low Income Subsidy individuals who receive full subsidies for their Medicare coverage
- Part A and Part B Provisions: Mental Health Parity: Decreases over six years the coinsurance for mental health services so that mental health services have the same 20 percent coinsurance rate as other Medicare benefits.
- Part C and Part D Provisions: Prohibitions and Limitations on Marketing of Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans: Prohibits door-to-door sales, cold calling, cross selling of non-health-related products. Requires limitations on commissions and gifts to insurance sales agents and requires agents to abide by state appointment laws. This legislation became law on July 15, 2008.
Click here to read NHC letters of support and position statements.
Michelle's Law
Michelle Morse was a full time college student at Plymouth State University when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Her doctors advised her to cut back on her course load while undergoing chemotherapy, but she could not because she would lose her family's health insurance if she was not a full time student. Michelle died as she struggled to regain her health while going to school full-time.
The National Health Council supported Michelle’s Law, which prohibits certain health plans from terminating the coverage of dependent, full-time students for one year from the start of a medically necessary leave of absence. This legislation was signed into law on October 9, 2008. Under the health care reform legislation signed into law in March 2010, beginning in September 2010, insurers will be required to permit children to stay on family policies until age 26.
Click here to read NHC letters of support and position statements.
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
As genetic screening becomes more commonplace, health insurers and employers could potentially base health coverage decisions and hiring practices on one’s genetic makeup. The NHC supported legislation to guarantee that individuals are not discriminated against due to inherited genetic predispositions that cannot be controlled. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act was signed into law on May 21, 2008.
Click here to read NHC letters of support and position statements.
Americans with Disabilities Restoration Act
Due to several court rulings, the impact of the original Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was limited. The ADA Restoration Act clarifies the definition of disability to include those individuals who are able to manage their disease or disability. The National Health Council supported this legislation, which was signed into law on September 25, 2008.
To read more about NHC initiatives and policies visit the following pages of our website:
Health Care Reform
Health Research
Curb Costs Responsibly
Better Care
