Newman: Affordable Care Act is personal for me

In her latest newsletter, Rep. Stacey Newman, D-St. Louis, addresses the U. S. Supreme Court decision  declaring the the Affordable Care Act is constitutional.

The Decision is In.

 As most of you know by now, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled last Thursday, June 28th in favor of the Affordable Care Act, which is now law.  I am trying to learn as much as I can about the ACA – as I’m sure you are. 

 I am in favor of healthcare access for all – regardless of who you are, your zipcode, your income or your luck.  You can now sleep easier because insurance industry abuses that the law prohibits will all stand.

 I most certainly applaud the efforts of Missouri Healthcare for All – a grassroots non-partisan statewide coalition of over 131 primarily faith based organizations – dedicated to access to affordable, high-quality health care for all Missourians.   I also cheer the efforts of the coalition’s president – Rabbi Susan Talve of Central Reform Congregation, my own rabbi, who has consistently led the charge for healthcare access.

This is personal for me.

 Our youngest granddaughter, not yet two years old, was born with a medical condition.

 She is doing just fine now - healthy and growing strong as most other other toddlers her age.

 The Affordable Care Act assures her family that she cannot be denied coverage due to her pre-existing condition OR lose insurance coverage if she becomes sick OR be charged more when she's older just because she's a female.  

 THAT is security.  THAT is right.

 WHAT I’VE LEARNED SO FAR...

 The effects of the Affordable Care Act on Missourians

• 39,667 young adults gained health care coverage through their parents’ plan
• 1,031 individuals with preexisting conditions now have health care coverage.
• $60,664,564 will be returned to consumers in Missouri, with an average of $173 per family.
• 78,585 seniors saved an average of $ 1,384 on prescription drugs in Medicare. 
• 1,102,000 received preventive services with no co-pays in their private insurance plan as a result of the ACA.
• 307,360 seniors received preventive services without co-pays in Medicare as a result of the ACA.

Protections and opportunities for Women:

• Being a woman is no longer a "pre-existing condition." Yes, women were denied coverage for just being women before the Affordable Care Act was law.
• Insurance companies can't charge you more for being a woman either. Before the Affordable Care Act was law, women were sometimes charged up to 150% more than men of the same age.
• Breast cancer screenings, cervical cancer screenings, domestic violence counseling and screenings and a whole bunch of other preventive care measures must be covered by insurance companies.
• Birth control is now covered by health insurance.
• Children can stay on their parents' health insurance until they're 26 years old. And if you want to have kids, the law will help you get pre-natal care and counseling and help with breast feeding and supplies too.

Benefits for Everyone:

• Insurance companies can't take away your coverage if you become too sick.
• You cannot be denied insurance coverage because of a pre-existing condition.
• Seniors receive a 50 percent discount on prescription drugs when they hit the "donut hole."
• Small businesses get tax credits to purchase insurance.
• There are no more lifetime limits on your coverage.
• 15 million more people will receive coverage because of expanded access to Medicaid. Millions of Americans are going to receive tax credits to help them get insurance--people who wouldn't be able to afford it otherwise.
• 12 million seniors are currently receiving free preventative care through Medicare.