Whoops! ObamaCare doesn't cover pre-existing conditions after all, until 2014

Washington Examiner ^ | MARCH 22, 2010 | DAVID FREDDOSO

[RobinMasters]

ObamaCare will not protect children with pre-existing health conditions from being denied health coverage -- not until 2014. This despite endless talking points and promises to the contrary, the Associated Press reports:

Under the new law, insurance companies still would be able to refuse new coverage to children because of a pre-existing medical problem, said Karen Lightfoot, spokeswoman for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, one of the main congressional panels that wrote the bill Obama signed into law Tuesday...

Full protection for children would not come until 2014, said Kate Cyrul, a spokeswoman for the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, another panel that authored the legislation. That's the same year when insurance companies could no longer deny coverage to any person on account of health problems.

Obama's public statements have conveyed the impression that the new protections for kids were more sweeping and straightforward.

[RobinMasters]

Ping

[devistate one four]

I bet they won’t cover it then because they will have already spent all the damn money!

[ClearCase_guy]

Obama's public statements have conveyed the impression

Oh. He lied?

Shocked, I tell you. Shocked.

[highlander_UW]

If this law is so great then they should have it go into effect immediately. Of course the democrats want most of it to go into effect AFTER elections so they aren't voted out based on this monstrosity...so force them to implement it now.

[cripplecreek]

D’oh! again. LOL

[fatnotlazy]

I’m sure there are no provisions as to how much insurance companies can charge and what level of coverage they can provide to those with pre-existing conditions, such as yours truly. I have a policy that pays 80%. Will my premium double or triple...or will I be forced into a policy that pays maybe 40%, or both?

[Army Air Corps]

You can bank on that!

[PogySailor]

This and no $2500 check from my insurance company yet. I'm beginning to think maybe he was misleading us. /sarc

[avacado]

Oh! This can’t be! They have told me America can’t wait another second for action! /sarc

[sodpoodle]

This is more punitive than the waiting period under most private health insurance policies for pre-existing conditions.

i.e. Most companies will issue a policy for anyone; except that underwriters exclude known conditions for a certain period, after which (even if treatment has been incurred) they are covered as any other condition. The premiums are rated accordingly - but what risk are we willing to take to avoid paying for our childrens’ medical care??????

So, effectively, the government is collecting premiums for 4 years without paying benefits. No difference!!!!

[Myrddin]

Insurance companies are already being burdened with new coverage requirement, but without the ability to adjust premiums to cover it until January 2011. Current estimates project a tripling of premiums.

[Senator_Blutarski]

Obama's public statements have conveyed the impression Oh.

He lied?

Obama lied, children died...

[Richard from IL]

Thanks for posting

[fatnotlazy]

The enormous cost will have to be borne by someone, and it ain’t going to be the insurance companies. They will have to pass the costs on or they won’t be able to survive. Same with any employer. Faced with fines and increased overhead, the employers will cut jobs, reduce pay and other benefits, and/or increase prices for goods and services. Plus there is also talk of a VAT (Value Added Tax) to cover the costs. So all those who think or thought this “reform” is a good thing because “health care” will be free — SUCKERS!

[RikaStrom]

ping

[spectre]

So when does the insurance up to the age of 26 begin?

[pallis]

No one gets anything until 2014, but we are going to start paying for it, and when 2014 comes, no one is going to like what they get, but they are going to pay dearly, and keep paying.

[Vaduz]

ObamaCare will not protect children.