AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICAN ACT (HR3962) OF 2009

Affordable Health Care for American Act (HR3962) of 2009

Affordable Health Care for American Act (HR3962) of 2009

Introduction

Affordable Health Care for America Act (or HR 3962) is the bill that was drafted by House of Representatives United States in November 2009. In Obama administration building, 111th Congress devoted much of his time to enactment of reform U.S. health care. Known as House bill, "was head of House of Representatives legislative proposal during debate on health reform, but was never approved by Senate.

On December 24, 2009, Senate approved an alternative bill of health, patient safety and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590). In 2010, House abandoned project of reform in favor of amending Senate bill (through reconciliation process) as Health and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.



Pros & Cons

Bill would require all health plans provide coverage for mental health and substance abuse. This mandated coverage, along with requirement that coverage should be in parity with medical and surgical coverage, is quite significant. proposals in past to cover insurance plans often provide health insurance to discriminate mental health services and substance excluded, restricted access to these services by discriminatory limits annual benefits for life and placed more restrictive terms and conditions of this coverage. Last year enactment of Domenici-Wellstone parity, requiring parity in employer-sponsored plans group of 50 or more that offer coverage of mental health and substance abuse, was the milestone for non-discrimination in coverage insurance. It is fitting that HR 3962 is based on this achievement and provides protection against discrimination to obtain coverage individually or through small group plans.

HR 3962 would also require all plans to have the basic benefit package that includes rehabilitation and habilitation services (which may be very important for people with severe mental disorders) as well as coverage for hospitalization, emergency services, outpatient services, prescription drugs, maternity benefits, preventive services and vaccines for children under 21 years of age, oral health, vision and hearing services, equipment and supplies. People who have the choice of three packages of basic benefits, “increase and bonus. Differences between benefits packages are levels of cost sharing, benefits not covered. An additional option that could be offered is highest quality, providing additional benefits such as dental and vision care for adults, benefits are not considered part of essential benefits package.

Affordable Health Care for America Act, HR 3962, was introduced in House of Representatives on October ...