How healthcare reform affects consumers

WASHINGTON, March 18 (UPI) -- A U.S. congressional Web site tells representatives how healthcare reform will impact their district, but it also shows how consumers will be affected.

For example, Rep. John Boozman, Rep.-Ark., can expect the 429,000 residents of his district who receive healthcare from an employer or through policies purchased on the individual market can keep their coverage. However, the bill prohibits annual and lifetime limits, eliminates cutting individuals who become ill while insured, bans coverage denials for pre-existing conditions and reduces the cost of preventive care.

Those who do not receive healthcare through their employer can purchase coverage at group rates through the new health insurance exchange. The bill provides families with incomes up to $88,000 for a family of four with tax credits to help pay for coverage, the Web site says. For a family of four making $50,000, the average tax credit will be approximately $5,800. Those with incomes below 133 percent of poverty receive coverage via Medicaid.

The 19,000 uninsured individuals in the district who have pre-existing medical conditions like cancer, heart disease and diabetes cannot be denied affordable coverage under the bill. The bill caps annual out-of-pocket costs at $6,200 for individuals and $12,400 for families who purchase insurance via the exchange.

Under the bill, the 11,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the district will receive a $250 rebate in 2010, 50 percent discounts on brand name drugs beginning in 2011 and complete closure of the drug benefits doughnut hole within a decade.

The 65,000 young adults in Boozman's district can remain under their parent's health insurance up to age 26.

The Web site is at: http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1924:benefits-of-health-care-reform-district-by-district-impact&catid=169:legislation&Itemid=55.