Friday, March 26, 2010
Healthcare Reform Bill: What to Expect
On Sunday, the House passed the Health Care reform bill and the bill is headed in direction of becoming a law. So, what changes are likely to happen and when? Here’s a good breakdown and Q&A about the new law:
from Kaiser Health News
from reuters.com:
It is important to note that the healthcare reform bill is NOT a law yet. Also, we are NOT health insurers, doctors, politicians or lawyers. We are artists. (my theater degree came with surprisingly little coursework on healthcare policy.) So, with all of those caveats firmly in place, here are some things that, we think, are of particular interest for artists and other self-employed people:
Soon:
- Young people will be able to stay on their parents' health plans until the age of 26. So, artists who are finishing high school and/or college, will be able to continue on their parents insurance while they get their career up and running (we know this will make a lot of parents sleep easier at night!)
- Health insurers will not be able to exclude children for coverage because of pre-existing conditions
- There will be a tax credit for some small businesses and nonprofits to help provide health insurance for their employees. The basic guidelines for nonprofits are that you have under 25 employees and have an average salary of under $50,000.
In 4 years:
- State health insurance exchanges for small businesses and individuals will open.
- Most people will be required to obtain health insurance coverage or pay a fine if they don't. Healthcare tax credits become available to help people with low incomes. Health plans no longer can exclude people from coverage due to pre-existing conditions.
- Employers with 50 or more workers who do not offer coverage face a fine of $2,000 for each employee if any worker receives subsidized insurance on the exchange.
If you want to see how the reform will affect your particular situation, try this tool:
As you can see, much of the far-reaching measures, such as a clause that insurance companies can no longer deny adults with pre-existing conditions (although there are some stopgap measures for adults with pre-existing conditions), will not take effect for another four years.
While we can’t fix health insurance, Springboard for the Arts healthcare programs can help get you to the doctor today. The Artists’ Access to Healthcare (AAH) program gives uninsured or underinsured artists vouchers that can be used, like a gift certificate, to cover the costs of medical visits. The program currently exists at the N.I.P. Community Clinic in Minneapolis, but will soon include Doctor Sam’s clinic in Northeast Minneapolis. Our Guide to Healthcare for Minnesota Artists helps connect you to state healthcare programs, insurance providers and low-cost clinics and programs. This year, we will present a free Health Fair, free flu shots clinics and a free screening day for artists. And, if you have an unexpected medical bill, we may be able to help pay for some of it via Springboard’s Emergency Relief Fund.
For the most current info about our healthcare programs, please stay tuned to our e-newsletter, or subscribe by clicking here. If you can’t find what you are looking for, please let us know how we can help!
For the most current info about our healthcare programs, please stay tuned to our e-newsletter, or subscribe by clicking here. If you can’t find what you are looking for, please let us know how we can help!
-laura
# posted by Springboard for the Arts @ 8:02 AM 
