One Year Later Oh
One Year Later Oh
One Year Later Oh
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama
on March 23, 2010, Ohio residents have more freedom and control over their health care choices.
All Americans with insurance are free from worrying about losing their insurance due to a
mistake on an application, or having it capped unexpectedly if someone is in an accident or
becomes sick. They no longer have to live in fear of double-digit premium increases from their
insurance companies without recourse or accountability. The law reduces costs for families and
businesses and has already made it illegal for insurance companies to deny care to children
because of a pre-existing condition. And it includes substantial new benefits and freedoms for
Ohio residents.
Specifically, the Affordable Care Act is already helping the people of Ohio by:
1
• $99.9 million for infrastructure to expand access to care
Making it Illegal for an Insurance Company to Drop Coverage When You Get Sick
The law bans insurance companies from dropping coverage when an individual gets sick because
of simple mistake on an application. This will protect 625,000 Ohio residents who buy coverage
on the individual market from losing their coverage when they need it the most.
2
Retiree Reinsurance Program in the Affordable Care Act, 175 employers in Ohio have been
approved to receive support to firms that continue to provide health coverage to their early
retirees—lowering their total health care costs. In 2010, employers in Ohio received $6.9
million in payments.
Voices of Reform
Cathy Lynn Howell Allen, Marblehead, OH: Cathy is a healthy and energetic small business
owner who has recently purchased health insurance for the first time in many years. Considered
“uninsurable” because of a history of Systemic Lupus, Cathy had been denied coverage several
times though she has required very little medical treatment over the last two decades. “Nothing is
more important to the success of my business than my personal health,” she says. “Without me
working and paying the bills, my firm would close.” Cathy is now enrolled in the Ohio High
Risk Pool which has given her peace of mind and less worry about losing her business or
retirement because of the financial instability that goes with being uninsured.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/map#healthcare-menu