Health Care Blog

The White House Goes Pink

Posted by Megan Slack on October 25, 2013 at 11:38 AM EDT

The White House is illuminated pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 24, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Yesterday, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, the White House was illuminated pink.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies are now restricted from charging women higher costs simply because they are women, or because of any pre-existing conditions, including breast cancer. And, preventive care, such as well-women visits and mammograms, are now free for women with no out-of-pocket costs.

These preventive services are critical to keeping women healthy. For example, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women and the second leading cause of cancer death for women in the US, after lung cancer. But when breast cancer is caught early and treated, survival rates can be near 100 percent.

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Affordable Health Care Brings Peace of Mind for Young Latinos: Jessica Ugalde’s Story

Posted by Katherine Vargas on October 25, 2013 at 10:45 AM EDT

President Barack Obama delivers remarks on the Affordable Care Act during a statement in the Rose Garden of the White House, Oct. 21, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

In the last three weeks, the health insurance marketplaces opened for business across the country. This was great news for the 15 percent of Americans – including 10.2 million Latinos – who don’t have health insurance, either because they can’t afford it or because their employer doesn’t offer it. At an event at the Rose Garden on Monday, the President discussed how the health care law is strengthening health plans and coverage for Americans. He was joined by consumers, small business owners, and pharmacists who have either benefitted from the health care law already or are helping consumers learn about what the law means for them and how they can get covered.

Among those participating in the event was Jessica Ugalde. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Jessica was able to stay on her mother’s insurance and receive treatment for a serious illness. Before health reform was enacted, recent college graduates like Jessica would have lost their health insurance when they left home or graduated from school. Young people in their first job were often forced to choose between paying their rent or maintaining their health insurance. The ACA changed this, by allowing young adults to be on their parents’ plan until age 26. This policy has already benefitted 913,000 Latino young adults who otherwise would have been uninsured. Because of the provision of the ACA that allows young people under the age of 26 to stay on a parent’s insurance, Jessica received the treatment she needed, quickly got better and was able to interview for a job which she still holds today.

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How the Affordable Care Act Improves the Lives of American Women

Posted by Kathleen Sebelius on October 24, 2013 at 12:35 PM EDT

Ed. Note: This blog is cross posted from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Today, we join our White House colleagues in celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness month; and almost four weeks into the launch of the Health Insurance Marketplace, I’m reminded of the tremendous impact the Affordable Care Act has on the lives of American women.

As the President said, the law is much more than just a website - it’s affordable, quality health insurance made available to everyone. Through the Marketplace, 18.6 million uninsured women have new opportunities for affordable, accessible coverage. And if you’re one of the 85 percent of Americans who already have insurance, today you have stronger coverage and more choices than ever before.

Important preventive services are now available to women at no additional cost. These include an annual well woman visit, screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer; certain contraceptive methods; smoking-cessation treatment and services; breastfeeding support and equipment; screening and counseling for interpersonal and domestic violence; immunizations; and many more. Thanks to the health care law, more than 47 million women have guaranteed access to preventive services without cost-sharing.

These preventive services are critical to keeping women healthy. For example, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women and the second leading cause of cancer death for women in the US, after lung cancer. But when breast cancer is caught early and treated, survival rates can be near 100 percent.

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The People’s House in Pink: Honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the White House

Posted by Valerie Jarrett on October 24, 2013 at 10:00 AM EDT

The North Portico exterior of the White House is illuminated pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Oct. 1, 2012 (Official White House Photo by Sonya N. Hebert)

The White House and the entrance to the Naval Observatory will be lit pink tonight, October 24th, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the millions of families who have battled the disease, and who feel its impact every day.

Whether affected by the disease directly, or anxious about the future health of our families, or reminded of loved ones we have lost every time we set the table for dinner, or celebrate the holidays – the fight against breast cancer is relevant to everyone, and we each can play an important role in tackling this challenge. Whether organizing local events, or consistently reminding our mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends to prioritize their own health by exercising regularly, eating well and getting their regular checkups and mammograms, there is always more we can do to help eradicate this disease.

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Meet Three Americans Who Signed Up for Affordable Health Insurance

Posted by Megan Slack on October 23, 2013 at 1:07 PM EDT

Watch on YouTube

HealthCare.gov, the website where people can browse and buy affordable health insurance, hasn’t worked as smoothly as it was supposed to since it opened on October 1st. President Obama has directed his team to work around the clock to improve the site, and get it running as quickly and efficiently as possible.

But, as President Obama said on Monday, there is still massive demand for health insurance, and thousands of people are still signing up for coverage and saving money. Many who couldn't afford insurance before, or had been denied care due to a pre-existing condition, are getting covered for the first time.

In fact, a few of the folks who have already signed up for new plans stood behind the President during his remarks on Monday. Afterward, they took a minute to talk with us about their experiences using the new Health Insurance Marketplaces and why they are happy with their new coverage.

Check out the video above and see what Zohre, Janice, and David had to say.

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Ohio Medicaid Expansion Will Provide Health Coverage for 270,000 Previously Uninsured Residents

Posted by Chris Jennings on October 21, 2013 at 5:45 PM EDT

As a native Ohioan and former staff member to Senator John Glenn, I’m thrilled that my home state announced today they will join the majority of states and move forward with expanding the Ohio Medicaid program, as supported by the Affordable Care Act. As the 26th state to expand, Governor Kasich will join a number of other Republican governors in putting aside partisan politics, and recognizing the practical and economic benefits of supporting Medicaid expansion. This is great news for the 270,000 previously uninsured residents, the State’s health care providers, and Ohio economy who will benefit from this expansion.

Leaders across the country are looking at the numbers, and coming to the same conclusion – Medicaid expansion makes sense. In Ohio, for example, the Health Policy Institute of Ohio estimated, in a joint study with Ohio State University, Urban Institute and Regional Economic Models, Inc., that even after taking into account any increased Medicaid cost for the state, the Medicaid expansion on balance would create between $1.8 – $1.9 billion in net state budget gains over the next 9 years. And, Medicaid expansion will affect Ohio residents in other ways. The Institute’s analysis finds that Ohio expansion would create more than 27,000 jobs, reduce health care costs for Ohio employers and residents by $285 million and $1.1 billion, respectively, and reduce the number of uninsured by more than 450,000 Ohio residents over the next 9 years.

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