The new Federal Healthcare Reform will allow children with pre-existing medical conditions access to insurance come September 23rd. On that date, health insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate against children with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, cerebral palsy, cancer, and countless other chronic diseases.
According to a new study out today by Families' USA, there are 64,000 of these children and young adults under 24 years of age who could be denied coverage in New Mexico. This figure represents 7.7% of the population under 18 years of age, and doubles to 16.6% for those between 18-24 years old. Pre-existing conditions cut across all ethnic and income groups.
Dede joined children's advocates and Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, President-elect of the NM Pediatric Association, Thursday to celebrate the expanded coverage and the end to unfair insurance practices.
"Ultimately, this will lead to more regular checkups and curb rising health care costs caused by chronic and serious disease. We will all benefit", said Senator Feldman
See Senator Feldman and Dr. Hoffman's comments below, or to see the entire study, click here.
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