United Spinal Reports On Health Care Reform Act For People With Disabilities

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Apr 21, 2011, 09:00 ET

NEW YORK, April 21, 2011/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Spinal Association has released a report compiling answers to 20 common questions regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or health care reform law, that have been posed by its members and others within the disability community.

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United Spinal developed the report to assist readers to better appreciate the structure and benefits of health care reform and what lies ahead. It covers, in detail, questions about the Affordable Care Act's status, provisions, benefits and impacts.

The reader is also presented with an easy-to-read table that highlights the major provisions of the Affordable Care Act and the timeline for their implementation.

Recently celebrating its first anniversary on March 23rd, the Affordable Care Act remains an important piece of legislation for people living with disabilities and chronic illnesses, as well as more than 32 million uninsured Americans. While the law is steadily being implemented, several of its key provisions will not become effective until 2014.

"United Spinal remains vigilant in its efforts to ensure that the Affordable Care Act fulfills its promise for more accessible, affordable high quality care for those living with spinal cord injuries and disorders," said Joe Isaacs, MSPH, CAE, FASAE, United Spinal's vice president of Public Policy.

"We remain focused in our efforts to avert disastrous consequences to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security coverage for our constituents and to help identify better and more responsible ways to reduce the nation's deficit without adding unfairly to the burden of those must vulnerable in our society," he added.

The report was developed by Joe Isaacs; Andrew Morris, MSPH, United Spinal's director of Government Relations; and Barbara L. Kornblau, JD, OTR, University of Michigan-Flint, who was instrumental in securing the inclusion of several provisions in the Affordable Care Act that respect those with disabilities as a health disparity population.

The report is available at www.unitedspinal.org under "Online at United Spinal" or at http://bit.ly/gzstpg.

To offer feedback on the report or if you have any additional questions about the Affordable Care Act call (202) 556-2076, EXT. 7101 or 7103, or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].

About United Spinal Association

United Spinal is a national 501(c) (3) nonprofit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, ALS and post-polio. It played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, and made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Membership is free and is open to all individuals with SCI/D. United Spinal was instrumental in getting New York City to create sidewalk curb ramps and accessible public transportation that has been used as a model for many United States cities.

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Jim Weisman

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SOURCE United Spinal Association