Fattah Outlines Major New Provisions of Healthcare Reform That Take Effect Today, Says Beware of Scare Tactics

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Today is an important day for the healthcare of Philadelphians and millions of Americans," Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) declared as he listed significant new coverage rules under the Patient's Bill of Rights – going into effect today on the six-month anniversary of the Affordable Care Act.

"Today is the day that we begin to put you and your doctor – not the health insurance companies – back in charge of your healthcare," Fattah said. "Today is the beginning of the end for some of the most egregious practices of the insurance companies."

Fattah was an early major advocate for the Obama Administration's healthcare reform agenda and for the Congressional strategy that led to enactment of the Affordable Care Act over virulent opposition and legislative obstruction by Congressional Republicans. He warned today that attacks on healthcare have not ended, and must be challenged.

"Opponents of healthcare reform say they'll repeal the law and take away these important consumer protections," Fattah said. "Meanwhile, they are spreading misinformation and using outrageous scare tactics. So it is important for you to know the facts as well as your new Patient's Bill of Rights."

One falsehood regards taxes. The only new tax now in effect under the law is on tanning salons.

Beginning today, consumers purchasing new plans will have the following additional protections:

• The right to choose their own doctor.
• Preventive services without deductable or co-payments.
• The right to both an internal and external appeal of insurers' coverage decisions.
• The right to access out-of-network emergency room care at in-network cost-sharing rates.

For health plan years beginning on or after today, all privately-insured Americans will have the following protections:

• Health coverage cannot be arbitrarily cancelled if you become sick.
• Children cannot be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition.
• Children up to age 26 can stay on their parents' health plan.
• Health insurance giants cannot put a lifetime limit on health coverage.
• Health plans' annual limits are phased out over three years.

President Obama is to be commended for his vision and leadership – and for keeping his promise to the American people – to reform our broken healthcare system, make it more affordable and more accessible," Fattah said. "I am proud that these reforms – which I advocated and voted for in the House of Representatives -- are now a reality and are making a difference in the lives of Americans today."

To learn more about these provisions and other ways that health reform will help, please visit www.healthcare.gov.

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

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