We’ve already enjoyed big improvements to our health care system courtesy of the federal Affordable Care Act:
- The ACA removed caps on lifetime benefits – protecting Washington families from losing everything when someone gets sick.
- The law requires full coverage of birth control at no cost to women.
- Young adults looking for work during these tough economic times are able to stay on thier parent’s plan until they find work or turn 26 – whichever comes first.
There’s more to look forward to in 2014:
- No one will be denied health coverage when they are sick – ensuring that every Washingtonian gets access to the care they need.
- All health plans will be required to cover essential benefits including maternity care, mental health treatment, prescriptions and pediatric care.
In addition to these common-sense consumer protection upgrades, House Democrats spearheaded the effort to extend health insurance to 300,000 low-income Washingtonians through the Medicaid Expansion.
We also led the way in establishing Washington Healthplanfinder – our state’s online marketplace for insurance. This one-stop shop will make it easier for consumers to truly compare health plans.
All these changes can get pretty confusing. If you’re more of a visual learner, the Kaiser Family Foundation has created this short video that breaks down health care reform.
Go ahead – take seven minutes and educate yourself on Obamacare!