
In my case, it means my sister and her family will never get denied health insurance because their child has a pre-existing condition. It's scary to live in a world where your child needs frequent diagnostic tests to monitor a potentially lethal condition and knowing that if you or your spouse ever lose your job (or want to change jobs!!) you might lose access to this kind of necessary care.
What about you? |
My autistic step-son will get his therapies covered now, and he won't be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions. We are able to afford those therapies, but many aren't. The pre-existing condition denial, though, is HUGE.
I work for local government, so our overall employer costs may increase as people start to add or keep their grown kids on their coverage (up to 26 I think). That premium increase should be very marginal, however. That's generally a healthy population. Next year, I won't be able to submit OTC meds to my flexible spending account. My family makes just at the $250,000 mark, so I guess somehow they will take out more Medicare taxes (the 0.9% increase). I'm not sure how they will do that. Neither of us makes that much individually, so how do payroll folks know to do that? Or will we pay it with our tax return next year? My mother's Medicare supplement policy may be a bit cheaper, or not increase as much, since Medicare will now cover the Part D prescription drug benefit "doughnut hole." |
It means I do not have to worry about being denied insurance for my asthma.
My 2 year old son does not have to worry about the same. My mother, who had breast cancer 10 years ago, can now be insured at affordable rates, which means she can start rebuilding her retirement savings at the age of 61. (she lost her life savings on medical costs after being diagnosed with cancer and having the insurance increase her rates to >$3K per month). My father, who has a heart problem, can now be insured. My brother and sister in law can have another baby because C-sections aren't considered pre-existing anymore. My friend with a diabetic son can leave her abusive work situation and not worry about finding coverage for her son. |
I will pay more taxes. I don't mind - I'm a big fan of this progress but honestly, I think that is the only way I will be affected. |
It means that one of my best friends does not have to work at his company for the rest of his life, merely because his wife has MS and her drugs are expensive. One day it might actually mean that he can start his own company. |
You could develop a serious health problem, or someone in your family could. |