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Political Awareness is important when it comes to your health. We provide important information on Local and National politics related to Minority Health issues.
Arkansas Minority Health Commission
Health Care Reform Update
February 24, 2010
Although things may seem like they have slowed in Washington regarding health care reform, the Arkansas Minority Health Commission is continuing its look at how legislation could affect minority Arkansans. It is imperative that our policymakers consider the guiding principles of the Commission as a means to shape their actions on this important subject. This update continues from our previous update highlighting three more myths about health care reform.
The Facts In Arkansas:
Only 27.1 percent of Arkansas small businesses with 50 or fewer employees are able to offer health insurance coverage to employees. (2008, Kaiser Family Foundation www.statehealthfacts.org)
Myths About Healthcare Reform
Myth 5: Healthcare Reform would hurt small businesses.
While the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Senate Bill) requires employers to pay penalties for employees who receive tax credits for health insurance through an Exchange, there are exceptions for small businesses (50 or fewer employees). Small employers with no more than 25 employees and average annual wages less than $50,000 that purchase health insurance for employees are eligible for a tax credit under the proposed legislation.
Myth 6: Healthcare Reform would allow undocumented immigrants to receive coverage.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Senate Bill) has several provisions that would prohibit undocumented citizens from receiving health care benefits under the proposed bill. For instance, the Senate Bill requires verification of both income and citizenship status in determining eligibility for federal premium credits as well as only allowing for U.S. citizens and legal immigrants the ability to purchase coverage in the exchange.
Myth 7: Healthcare Reform will bankrupt the federal government.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a non-partisan office that aids in the economic and budgetary decisions made by Congress, estimates that the cost of the coverage components of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Senate Bill) will cost $871 billion over ten years. Over the course of this period, proposed changes to Medicaid and Medicare provisions will net savings of $438 billion. The CBO estimates that this proposal will not bankrupt the federal government but will reduce the federal deficit by $132 billion over 10 years.
AMHC Guiding Healthcare Principles
Principle 1: Healthcare legislation should increase access to healthcare coverage for communities of color.
Principle 2: Healthcare legislation should include provisions to focus on racial and ethnic health disparities.
Principle 3: Healthcare should invest in prevention and wellness.
Principle 4: Healthcare coverage should not be denied based on a pre-existing medical condition.
Principle 5: Healthcare legislation should include provisions to increase workforce diversity.
Principle 6: Healthcare legislation should reduce cost for poor people.
Principle 7: Health policy decisions should be assessed with respect to their effect on minorities in underserved populations.
Need More Information?
United States House of Representatives:
H.R. 3962: Affordable Healthcare for America Act- PDF
Summary
http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/AHCAA-SUMMARY-102909.pdf
United States Senate:
H.R. 3590: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act- PDF
Summary
http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/housesenatebill_final.pdf
As the debate continues, get the current information through the following links:
http://www.rwjf.org/healthreform/
http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/
We would like to hear your input on these issues as it relates to minority health and health care reform. Contact Us