Health Care Blog
We’re Listening to Businesses about the Health Care Law
Posted by on July 2, 2013 at 6:00 PM EDTFrom the start, this Administration has encouraged an ongoing dialogue with the leaders of our nation’s businesses, large and small. There’s more to do, but working together we’ve helped rebuild our economy. Businesses have added 6.9 million private-sector jobs in the past 39 months and we’ve helped strengthen the middle class. Today, most Americans get their health insurance through their jobs and that will be the case moving forward.
To help restore middle class security, we are making health care more affordable to businesses, government, and American families through the Affordable Care Act. While major portions of the law have yet to be implemented, it’s already a little more affordable for businesses to offer quality health coverage to their employees. A recent report suggests that medical cost growth will be lower in 2014 than an already low rate in 2013, both “defying historical patterns.”
Starting next year, the law also ensures all Americans will have access to affordable health coverage. We are on target to open the Health Insurance Marketplace on October 1 where small businesses and ordinary Americans will be able to go to one place to learn about their coverage options and make side-by-side comparisons of each plan’s price and benefits before they make their decision.
As we implement this law, we have and will continue to make changes as needed. In our ongoing discussions with businesses we have heard that you need the time to get this right. We are listening. So in response to your concerns, we are making two changes.
First, we are cutting red tape and simplifying the reporting process. We have heard the concern that the reporting called for under the law about each worker’s access to and enrollment in health insurance requires new data collection systems and coordination. So we plan to re-vamp and simplify the reporting process. Some of this detailed reporting may be unnecessary for businesses that more than meet the minimum standards in the law. We will convene employers, insurers, and experts to propose a smarter system and, in the interim, suspend reporting for 2014.
Second, we are giving businesses more time to comply. As we make these changes, we believe we need to give employers more time to comply with the new rules. Since employer responsibility payments can only be assessed based on this new reporting, payments won’t be collected for 2014. This allows employers the time to test the new reporting systems and make any necessary adaptations to their health benefits while staying the course toward making health coverage more affordable and accessible for their workers.
Learn more about Health CareTake Action: Get Tested
Posted by on June 27, 2013 at 12:11 PM EDTToday, in a statement, the President highlighted the importance of HIV testing:
"Today is National HIV Testing Day, when we encourage people across the United States to get tested. Early detection and treatment for HIV saves lives, and yet over half of adults in the United States have never been tested. Nearly one in five people living with HIV in this country doesn’t know his or her status. That delays treatment, increases the risk of transmission, and sets us back in our fight against the epidemic.
Getting an HIV test is easier and faster than ever. And this past April, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended that everyone between the ages of 15 and 65 get screened for HIV as part of their routine health care. That means, under the Affordable Care Act, new health care plans will be required to cover HIV testing without any additional out-of-pocket costs.
But more Americans still need to decide to take the test. We know from experience here at home and around the world that HIV testing opens the door to treatment, reduces the spread of the virus, and helps people lead longer, healthier lives. That’s why, on a trip to Africa in 2006, Michelle and I were tested for HIV – because there should be no shame or stigma associated with knowing your status. And if we each do our part by getting tested – and encourage our friends and family to do the same – then we will move closer to an AIDS-free generation."
As the President pointed out, getting tested is about taking action – so take the time and get tested.
To see a video from me on the importance of getting tested, click here. To see a video from the President’s trip to Africa in 2006, click here.
Ask your healthcare provider for the test. Or find the nearest HIV testing center to you.
Grant Colfax, MD is the Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy
Learn more about , Health CareImproving Health for LGBT Americans
Posted by on June 26, 2013 at 3:08 PM EDTEd. note: This is cross-posted from the HHS Blog.
On this historic day, it’s important to recall that, for too long, the health concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals were pushed to the side. LGBT Americans faced limited access to health care and insurance. And we have been less likely to get the preventive care we need to stay healthy.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is committed to promoting the health and well-being of all Americans, including LGBT Americans. And the Affordable Care Act provides a foundation for achieving that goal.
The Affordable Care Act helps LGBT Americans in four major ways:
- Protecting our right to access quality, affordable health insurance. Starting in 2014, the health care law prevents insurers from denying us coverage or charging us a higher premium because of a pre-existing condition or because we are LGBT.
- Removing lifetime dollar limits on coverage. That means that people with chronic diseases, like HIV/AIDS, cancer and mental health concerns, can get the care we need. And starting in 2014, all annual limits will be illegal, too.
- Promoting wellness by requiring insurers to cover preventive care at no additional cost. LGBT adults and teens can get screened by a health professional for HIV and depression without paying co-pays or deductibles. Other preventive services, like cervical cancer screening for sexually active women, obesity counseling for people at risk, and well-woman visits are also covered at no extra cost.
- Helping more LGBT Americans find affordable health insurance. Starting October 1, 2013, all Americans without insurance and those looking for better options will have a new place to shop for plans, the Health Insurance Marketplace, and may qualify for lower costs on monthly premiums.
By protecting consumers, promoting prevention, and expanding access, HHS and the Affordable Care Act are now leading the way to greater equality, security, and wellness for LGBT Americans – one more reason this is a Pride Month to celebrate!
Photo Credit of the Department of Health and Human Services
Learn more about Civil Rights, Health CareSecretary of Defense Symposium on Traumatic Brain Injury
Posted by on June 19, 2013 at 10:33 AM EDT
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel addresses experts within the brain injury community on Traumatic Brain Injury during the 2013 Secretary of Defense Symposium on Traumatic brain injury held at The Pentagon, Washington D.C. June 11, 2013.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an increasingly common injury suffered by our nation's men and women in uniform. Concussions, head injuries, and blast exposures from IED attacks are now recognized as some of the most common, dangerous, and difficult to treat of injuries that have emerged from over a decade of war. We are only beginning to understand the complex nexus between TBI and the heightened incidents of suicide, severe post-traumatic stress, and depression we have seen among our troops. Last year the U.S. military lost more service members to suicide than to combat. This startling statistic represents but a small fraction of the truly pressing mental health needs of America’s veterans.
To raise awareness and galvanize the efforts of the military and medical communities to address traumatic brain injury, earlier this week, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel hosted the first Secretary of Defense Symposium on Traumatic Brain Injury. During this day long symposium, the foremost experts from the brain injury community shared the latest advancements in neuroscience research and clinical care with military and civilian leaders with the aim of synchronizing efforts and fostering innovative solutions. Senior leaders from the Department of Defense and private corporations including the Nation Football League, General Electric, and One Mind for Research participated in this important event Chaired by Anand Veeravagu, a neurosurgeon, 2013 White House Fellow, and Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, the goal of this symposium was to raise awareness, accelerate military and civilian cooperation, and foster innovative approaches to prevention, research, and the treatment of traumatic brain injury and mental health issues.
Men: Don’t Wait for a Wakeup Call When it Comes to Your Health
Posted by on June 14, 2013 at 6:23 PM EDTEd Note: This is a cross post from the blog of healthcare.gov. You can find the original post here.
As a group, we men are not known for doing a very good job of taking care of our own health.
National Men’s Health Week, from June 10 through Father’s Day on June 16, is a good time for us to start taking responsibility and doing what’s needed to stay healthy and active. That means eating right, taking the time to exercise, and—yes—talking to our doctors about what checkups we need.
Many health problems are preventable or more easily treated if we’re proactive about our health. The good news is the Affordable Care Actensures that most health insurance plans cover recommended preventive services at no out-of-pocket cost.
Some of these services that are particularly important to men ages 40 to 64 include blood pressure and cholesterol checks, flu shots and tobacco cessation services.
Make sure your fathers, grandfathers, friends and uncles on Medicare know that they are eligible for these and other preventive services such as a yearly wellness visit, with no co-pays or deductibles.
Learn more about Health CareHere's How the Affordable Care Act Is Helping Californians
Posted by on June 7, 2013 at 5:25 PM EDT
President Barack Obama delivers a statement on the Affordable Care Act, at the Fairmont San Jose in San Jose, Calif., June 7, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Today President Obama was in California to talk about how the Affordable Care Act benefits people in the state, and across the country.
First, for those who already have health insurance, President Obama explained that the law has already provided a wide array of new benefits, better protections and stronger cost controls they didn’t have before.
“Protections, like allowing people up to the age of 26 to stay on their parent's health care plans, which has already helped 6 million Americans,” President Obama said. “Cost controls, like requiring insurance companies to spend at least 80 percent of the money that you pay in premiums in your actual health care costs, as opposed to administrative costs or CEO pay.”
Second, for the tens of millions of Americans – including 6 million Californians - who don’t currently have health insurance, “you’ll soon be able to buy quality, affordable care just like everybody else,” President Obama said today. “And here’s how.”
Learn more about Health Care, Urban Policy
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