Press Release: 2nd Anniversary of Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Link to PDF of 2nd Anniversary of Affordable Care Act

HFA Celebrates 2^nd Anniversary of Affordable Care Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 23rd, 2012

Washington, D.C. – Today marks the two-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act, landmark legislation to reform our health care system in ways that lower costs and expand access to insurance coverage.  The law is already making a difference for families across the country by drastically improving access to higher quality care, addressing rising health care costs, and protecting consumers.  According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), more than 5.1 million seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare saved billions on prescription drugs, thanks to the Affordable Care Act.
“HFA has consistently advocated for the needs of individuals with bleeding disorders,” said Kimberly Haugstad, Executive Director of HFA.  “Going forward, HFA will continue to highlight the benefits of the healthcare reform legislation and the need for effective implementation.”
Patients in the bleeding disorder community have seen the impact of this legislation on their personal lives. For example, the health care reform act allowed Alex, who has hemophilia from Oregon, from hitting a fourth lifetime cap, and allowed him more time to find a job with benefits after college.  The legislation has also allowed, Jenni from Tennessee, to no longer worry about her husband and son — who have von Willebrand diesase — from reaching their lifetime cap.
The Affordable Care Act has afforded our community with new rights and benefits. Like in Alex’s situation, parents have been able to keep their children on their family policy until the age of 26 or until they receive coverage through an employer.  Small businesses have received tax credits to help provide financial resources to cover the cost of health insurance premiums.  Insurance companies can no longer discriminate against children with pre- existing conditions and rescind a policy if you get sick.  Patients no longer have to pay deductibles or other costs sharing fees for preventative doctor visits and child immunizations.
Insurance companies can no longer place lifetime limits on plans and are restricted on the annual dollar limits that may place on a plan, with the eventual elimination of annual limits in 2014.  However, it is still unclear how the federal government will provide administrative and financial resources to states by 2014 when all individuals are mandated to have health insurance.
Contact: Richard Pezzillo (202)-675-6984 r.pezzillo@hemophiliafed.org

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Hemophilia Federation of America is a national 501(c) (3) organization consisting of more than 30 member organizations and numerous individual members who offer assistance and grassroots advocacy education on behalf of the bleeding disorders community. Incorporated in 1994, the (delete) HFA provides programs and services to improve the quality of life for persons with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease (VWD) and other rare bleeding disorders. For more information, visit our website at www.hemophiliafed.org or call 1-800-230-9797.