As you may know, the U.S. House passed health care reform. This is the most significant health legislation to pass in decades and it delivers some real wins for children and low-income families. The bill supports two essential programs, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which enable children who do not have private insurance to receive medical care.
Many of the provisions will not be phased in for several years, but some immediate wins include:
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The end of insurer discrimination against children with pre-existing conditions; under the new bill these kids will no longer be denied coverage (this provision for adults will be effective in 2014)
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Dependent children under the age of 26 will be allowed to remain on their parents’ policies if they cannot get health insurance elsewhere
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Expansion of high-risk pools so that adults with pre-existing conditions can buy coverage
This bill was a long time in the making and several details still need to be ironed out. Please take a minute to contact and thank your representative for voting to support this bill. Also consider contacting your senators to thank them for all their hard work on this issue and to let them know you appreciate their support in the upcoming final vote.
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Email Sen. Jeff Bingaman at senator_bingaman@bingaman.senate.gov or call 202-224-5521.
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Email Sen. Tom Udall via a form on his website or call 202-244-6621.
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Email Rep. Martin Heinrich (Dist. 1) via a form on his website or call 202-225-6316.
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Email Rep. Ben R. Lujan (Dist. 3) via a form on his website or call 202-225-6190
