Welfare Watch - November 5, 2009 - Health Care Reform Moves Forward

After months and some would say years of debate, Congress is ready to vote on a health care reform bill.   A vote is expected this weekend on H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. 

This bill will benefit children and their families by:

• Prohibiting insurance companies from denying insurance coverage to children for pre existing conditions over 30 days old.
• Families will have a choice of affordable private plans or a new public option with premiums based on a family's ability to pay.
• More individuals would be eligible for Medicaid if their income level is below 150% of federal poverty level.
• Protecting the enrollment in Medicaid for Children and extend similar coverage to their parents and other low income adults.
• Young adults can continue coverage under a parent's insurance plan until age 26.
• The CHIP (PeachCare in Georgia) will continue to 2013 after which coverage will be converted to Medicaid or other health insurance plans.
• Therapeutic Foster Care programs will be offered special protections and become a fundable medical treatment.
• Home Health Visitation programs will be funded. 

Passage by the House is no guarantee of passage of H.R. 3962.  The Senate will need to finalize the legislation and vote on it.  This will be no easy task.

_____________________________________
Welfare Watch, an email newsletter of the
Georgia Association of Homes
and Services for Children
as a public service.
http://www.gahsc.org
                            membership application
                            Normer Adams, Editor
___________________________________

GAHSC Membership Application  
GAHSC Membership List
GAHSC Member Calendar of Events