When health reform was passed earlier this year, it offered the promise of increased access to quality, affordable coverage and more choices in health care coverage. Within the first 90 days of enactment of that legislation, Iowans have already seen a number of advancements:
In April, the state received $35 million in federal dollars to provide health insurance for Iowans with pre-existing conditions who have been without health insurance for six months.
The first round of $250 checks to close the Medicare "donut hole" were mailed to seniors in early June.
Earlier this week, the Department of Health and Human Services announced they are accepting applications for the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.
And today, we take another step towards meeting that promise, with the launch of HealthCare.gov. On this site, Iowans will have a one-stop-shop of choices for coverage that is best suited to their needs. The launch of the site was directed by the new health reform law, the Affordable Care Act, which I helped craft as Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
For too long, the insurance market has been confusing and hard to navigate. This website makes it easier for consumers and small businesses to find coverage options and get the health care they need. HealthCare.gov is a new, innovative on-line tool that will help consumers take control of their health care by connecting them with important information and resources.
HealthCare.gov is the first website to combine information about public programs, from Medicaid to the new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, with information from more than 1,000 private insurance plans across the country. The website’s insurance options-finder automatically sorts through a catalog of options to identify the ones that may be right for you or your small business.
In addition, the website provides extensive information about your rights as a consumer in the health insurance market, tips for how to navigate the market’s complexities and how the Affordable Care Act can help you. The website also connects consumers to quality rankings for local hospitals as well as the latest tips for how to stay healthy.
I encourage all Iowans to visit HealthCare.gov. For more details regarding the new health reform law, you can stop by my web site at http://harkin.senate.gov/.
Your Senator,
Tom Harkin