As legislators continue to debate over the new health care bill in the House, many of their constituents are wondering how this new legislation will affect their lives in the near future. While a good number of the major reforms described in the bill will have no effect until 2014, there are several important measures that will be effective in the more immediate future.
The health care bill has the potential to help Florida seniors with prescription drug coverage. Currently, Part D of Medicare has a doughnut hole where seniors only get coverage up to a certain point. After this point, they have to pay out of their own pocket until they are able to pick up coverage again. In order to help fill this gap in coverage, seniors will get a $250 rebate to help fill the hole in Medicare prescription drug coverage, which occurs between the $2,700 initial limit and when catastrophic coverage kicks in at $6,154. While $250 might seem like a small amount, it is the first step to phasing out this gap in coverage and will greatly benefit Floridians.
The new bill will have a powerful and immediate effect on small business owners in Florida. Currently, many small businesses are not able to offer their employees health insurance. However, under the new plan, businesses that have fewer than 50 employees will get tax credits that will cover 35 percent of their health care premiums. This amount will ultimately increase to 50 percent by 2014.
Young Floridians will also benefit from the new health care bill, as one of its provisions allows for young adults to stay on their parents’ insurance until they are 27. This will be a great benefit to many young Florida professionals seeking work after graduation. They will have the opportunity to look for work without feeling the pressure of not having health insurance.
One of the most important reforms that will take place immediately will have a great impact on children in Florida. Insurers will not be allowed to impose exclusions on children with pre-existing conditions. This will provide much need relief from the emotional and financial stress that many Florida parents feel.
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