Yesterday at 5:53 p.m. Eastern Time, every Republican in the House voted to repeal health care reform.
According to MSNBC, the repeal has little chance of passing in the Senate. President Obama has said he’d veto any repeal bill of the Affordable Care Act.
Also, a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, said the American public is divided on both the repeal effort and the health care law. According to the poll, 46 percent oppose the attempt to repeal the law while 45 percent support the effort. Also, 39 percent believe the health plan Obama signed into law last March is a good idea, while another 39 percent think it's not.
Since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law there have been many changes. The Act addressed and ended many unfair insurance practices.
If the repeal were to become reality, it could affect as many as 32 million American with health care coverage. Also, the repeal would strip many of the new protections against the insurance industry. Some say the repeal of the Affordable Care Act would add $230 billion to the deficit over the next 10 years.
Other situations that could be affected by the repeal include:
• Pregnant women, children born with disabilities, and anyone with a pre-existing condition, as many as half of Americans under age 65, could face discrimination or be denied coverage by an insurance company that deems them too costly
• Senior on Medicare who fall in the "donut hole" in prescription coverage would once again have to make up that cost out of pocket and start paying for all preventative care
• Families could lose their coverage if someone is in an accident or becomes sick
• Loss of coverage to young adults (up to age 26 ) who remain on their parents' health insurance policies
• A woman with cancer could have her coverage stripped away because of a tiny mistake on a form
The law faces other challenges. Across the country, several lawsuits have been filed. Also, some judges have upheld the legislation and one judge one ruled it was unconstitutional to require individuals to purchase insurance.
Beginning in 2014, Americans will be required to carry health insurance. Health insurance can be obtained through their own purchase, their employer or through a government program. The Affordable Care Act includes new insurance exchanges in each state. These exchanges will enable small businesses and individuals to purchase health insurance that meets the government standards. Also, federal subsidies will be available to defray the high costs of insurance.
Sources:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41149463/ns/politics-capitol_hill/