Op-Ed: What's In The Health Insurance Reform Bill For You?

Op-Ed

Without reform, the cost of health care for the average family of four is projected to rise $1,800 every year for years to come--and insurance companies will make more health care decisions.

America's middle class deserves better. Here's what America's Affordable Health Choices Act means for you:

LOWER COSTS

* No more co-pays or deductibles for preventive care
* No more rate increases for pre-existing conditions, gender, or occupation
* An annual cap on your out-of-pocket expenses
* Group rates of a national pool if you buy your own plan
* Guaranteed, affordable oral, hearing, and vision care for your kids

GREATER CHOICE

* Keep your doctor, and your current plan, if you like them
* More choice, with a high quality public health insurance option competing with private insurers

HIGHER QUALITY

* You and your doctors make health care decisions -- not insurance companies
* More family doctors and nurses will enter the workforce, helping guarantee access
* Mental health care must be covered

STABILITY & PEACE OF MIND

* No more coverage denials for pre-existing conditions
* No more lifetime limits on how much insurance companies will pay
* No reason to ever make a job or life decision again based on health care coverage

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