Opinion: We Need to Talk About ObamaCare
There are a few questions that need to be answered before we can reap the fruits of this new law, such as: When do you sign up for coverage? How do you sign up? Who is eligible for coverage, and when does it begin?
Concerns by HIV Groups on Affordable Care Act Implementation
Many local HIV/AIDS groups that receive funding from the federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program are worried their support may shrink as the the health care reform law is fully implemented in 2014.
To read more, click here.
Demand for Addiction Services Could Double in 2014
A surge in the number of drug and alcohol addiction patients could soon overwhelm doctors as the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. the health care reform law, or ACA) is fully implemented. In 2014, between 3 million and 5 million addicts will become eligible for insurance coverage.
To read more, click here.
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Celebrates it’s Third Birthday:
Many successes, but still so much to do. The most significant reforms for people living with HIV and viral hepatitis will go into effect in January 2014. Over the coming weeks and months, federal agencies, state governments, and HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis programs will be preparing for massive changes to the health care system.
Falling Through the Cracks
We can strengthen two of the weakest links in the U.S. health care chain for people with HIV/AIDS—linking people to care and retaining them in care—but doing so requires a collective approach.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a rule to explicitly include HIV/AIDS as one of the chronic conditions states can use to determine eligibility for health homes, which are comprehensive care systems under the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. the health care reform law) for people with certain chronic conditions who receive Medicaid.
Read more: http://www.poz.com/articles/chronic_condition_medicaid_1_23209.shtml
The Implementation of the Affordable Care Act
In March, the Supreme Court heard six hours of testimony regarding the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), a.k.a. health care reform. If it’s fully implemented in 2014, it would affect more than 30 million people. Do you really know what all this is about? Here’s the breakdown.
U.S. Supreme Court Begins Health Care Reform Arguments
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear three days of arguments starting March 26 challenging the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. health care reform, The New York Times reports. The main debate is over the law’s requirement that most Americans have health insurance or pay a penalty. Opponents are relying on an 1867 federal law called the Anti-Injunction Act, which says that people who object to taxes must pay first and litigate later. Congress says the required payment is a penalty rather than a tax and the 1867 law is irrelevant in regard to the government’s taxing power. President Obama’s administration wants a prompt ruling on the health care law and believes the 1867 law should not stand in the way.
From the Newsfeed - Affordable Care Act to Cover Contraceptives, HIV Testing for Women
The Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. health care reform, will now officially cover preventative health services for women, including contraceptives and HIV testing, without charging co-payments, co-insurance or a deductible. Acting on a report issued by The Institute of Medicine, HHS has built in coverage for sexually transmitted infection counseling, HIV screening and counseling, contraceptives, domestic violence screening, human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and other preventative health issues. The services will be offered at no cost through insurance plans beginning or after August 1, 2012. Religious institutions that offer insurance to their employees will be exempt. Click here for more.
A panel has recommended to the Obama administration that all insurance health plans be required to cover contraceptives for women free of charge as part of the Affordable Care Act. The Institute of Medicine, a nonpartisan, nongovernmental branch of the National Academy of Sciences, also suggested in its report that HIV testing, among other preventative health services, also be covered at no cost. Click here for more.
Now, this is a step in the right direction.
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