Sen. Dede Feldman highlights personal stories of families helped by new reforms, warns against repeal of provisions protecting consumers
Wednesday September 22 Sen.Dede Feldman ( D- District 13) today joined advocates and New Mexico families at the first of several events in Albuquerque highlighting the six-month anniversary of the signing of federal health care reform into law. Sept. 23 is the date on which many key provisions of the new law are set to take effect. These reforms include a ban on insurers denying coverage to children because of pre-existing conditions, a ban on dropping patients after they get sick, an end to lifetime caps on coverage, and the provision of free preventative care under all new plans.
Today’s events at the IBEW Hall at 4921 Alexander Blvd. NE included a news conference sponsored by Health Action New Mexico explaining provisions to go into effect Sept. 23 as well as an assembly of seniors and retirees focusing on the benefits for seniors.
The NM Public Interest Group (PIRG) will sponsor a news conference at 10 a.m Thursday Sept. 23 at the Student Health Services Office on the UNM main campus to highlight the provisions affecting students and other young adults who may now stay on their parents plan through age 26. A panel discussion with doctors and students will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Student Union Building.
"No one should be denied health care coverage because they have a pre-existing condition. No one should be dropped from a health plan they are already enrolled in just for getting sick," said Feldman. "Starting this week, for new policies, people who are very sick with cancer, or whose children have serious diseases like cystic fibrosis will not be out of luck when they hit an annual or lifetime limit imposed by their insurance companies.”
Feldman said the ban on insurance companies denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions will extend to adults come 2014, under the new law. Until then people like Ruth Titus, a 59-year old cook from Taos with a history of bladder cancer, and Kim and Eddy Graham, of Belen, who both have Hepatitis C, can get coverage from a new high risk pool funded by the new law and operated by the state.
“This is just one of the opportunities New Mexicans will be able to take advantage of as a result of the Patient Protection and Accountable Care Act,” she said. “In only six months, New Mexico has already gotten over $40 million to help people with serious illnesses like Ruth Titus and the Grahams, as well as to train nurses, strengthen insurance rate review, and help with home visiting programs for first time moms.
"The health care law passed in March was by no means perfect. But as we heard today, these reforms are now bringing relief and stability to thousands of families across the state," she said "While we need to fight to continue to improve the law, the stories we’re hearring in committee and from our constituents prove beyond any doubt that we cannot afford to repeal it and go back to the days of rampant insurance company abuses."
The events are part of a series of events in 30 states nationwide organized by state legislators in collaboration with Health Action New Mexico, PIRG, LULAC, the NM Alliance for Retired Americans, Progressive States Network and the Working Group of State Legislators for Health Reform. For more information, visit http://progressivestates.org/statefedhealth.
For more information on the full slate of health care reforms set to take effect on September 23rd, visit www.healthcare.gov. or call Sen. Feldman at 505-220-5958.
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