A lot better than we were led to believe

[MCBCON]

Take a read of changes in the first year alone:  http://docs.house.gov/energycommerce/IMMEDIATE_PROVISIONS.pdf

The bill is a lot better than I thought.  Looks like we might actually get health care coverage finally.

[Quixotic1]

I need $4300 to begin the meds.  $250 is not even a help.  :((

I am glad that some provisions were put in to close it.  I will be able to afford my meds next year.

Thank you, I just hadn't gotten to looking at all the aspects of the bill yet.

Q

[essdipity]

Donut hole---------

BEGINS TO CLOSE THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE—Provides a $250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries who hit the donut hole in 2010. Effective for calendar year 2010. (Beginning in 2011, institutes a 50% discount on brand‐name drugs in the donut hole; also completely closes the donut hole by 2020.)
----------------

Scant comfort for people who need meds NOW.

ess

[biowham]

Pre-existing is big for us, too, as is insurance mobility, disconnecting insurance from job. And Quix...last night some talking head referred to the bill as eliminating the donut hole?

Bio

[Ufrustrated2]

>>The most important thing for me was to eliminate the pre-existing condition.

    ditto. found out the hard way after leaving my job in Berkeley two years ago i would never be able to afford health care due to all my pre-existing stuff. considerably fortunate i have the VA even though we butt heads often.

i don't know enough about what is actually in that bill and all its effects it will have now and in the future to discuss it rationally.  but i will say, i really really really hope it helps all of us, medically & monetarily as the gov claims it will. we've all seen someone who has suffered due to bad medicine and way too expensive medicne.

[jensequitur]

The most important thing for me was to eliminate the pre-existing condition.  I've been really worried that I would lose my job - and without my job, neither me or hubby would have health care.

Now maybe we can do something about being able to afford healthcare AND medication.

[essdipity]

I think we need to wait till the dust settles before drawing too many conclusions. There still will be wrangling to reconcile House and Senate versions, and that always involves a lot of politicking, sometimes with tricky stuff thrown in.

I am hopeful that many here will benefit from this legislation, even if it's far from perfect. It's at least something. I for one am very lucky in my medical coverage, and would like to see all of you as lucky as I am.

ess

[Quixotic1]

The anti-bill propaganda was fierce and deceitful.  This bill was NEVER a government takeover of your healthcare.

'nough said by me

This was not aimed at you McBCON, I have just been peeved at the partisan lying.

I agree that this bill will do a lot of good.  I do hope that everyone who is without healthcare coverage here will now have access to it.  The help I was looking for - reform of the drug coverage Medicare donut hole was taken out last summer.  I am still in the hole and cannot afford a DMD.  I make too little to afford it and too much to receive help.

Quix