As many 129 million Americans at risk of being rejected for insurance coverage or having to pay more, government study finds
WASHINGTON — As many as 129 million Americans under age 65 have medical problems putting them at risk of being rejected by insurance companies or having to pay more for coverage, according to a U.S. government study reported by the Washington Post on Tuesday.
The Department of Health and Human Services is scheduled to release the study on Tuesday, the Post said, the same day the House of Representatives is expected to begin considering a Republican bill to repeal President Barack Obama's healthcare overall.
The report is part of the Obama administration's effort to convince the public of the advantages of the law, which contains insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions.
"Americans living with pre-existing conditions are being freed from discrimination in order to get the health coverage they need," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement to be released Tuesday, the Post reported.
The study found that one-fifth to one-half of non-elderly people in the United States have conditions that trigger rejection or higher prices in the individual insurance market, the Post said. They range from cancer to chronic illnesses such as heart disease, asthma and high blood pressure.
A Republican House aide, speaking on condition of anonymity because the report was not yet public, told the Post: "When a new analysis is released on the eve of a vote in Congress, it's hard to view it as anything but politics and public relations."
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6 comments:
Of course the anonymous government worker calls it politics. He has great insurance and doesn't have to worry about mundane things like coverage.
The pre-existibng clause in the healthcare act won't take effect until 2014.
Meanwhile United Healthcare will take 10% of my pay and NOT pay the needs of my wife who has a pre-existing condition.
It would have to improve to be worthless - right now it's extortion. Glad everyone else is doing okay. My wife is suffering.
bpinto
They don't mention the 25% increase to seniors for meds with the first wave of Obamacare do they?
11:51 You failed to mention the $250 senior bribe you got now with the new law.
The pre-existing clause in the healthcare bill was the best part of the bill. It is absurd that people who were born dwarves can't get insurance. Or how about people who have fought and beat cancer can't switch jobs because they would lose their healthcare and then not be covered by the next job.
1:16 Anon
Think again! It's actuall one of the WORST parts of the bill.
It says NOTHING about the insurance company hiking your rates so high that you still can't afford health care coverage!
That's what they'll do too....they'll say "Oh yes, we'll accept you - and here's YOUR rate"!
Just wait and see. It was nothing but more money in the insurance companies pockets. Plain and simple!
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