September 24, 2010
September 24, 2010
In radio address, governor urges consumers to learn how their coverage is affected
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said health care reforms that took effect September 23 as part of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are helping transform our nation's health care system for the better.
"No longer can insurance companies deny coverage for children under age 19 based upon a pre-existing medical condition," Granholm said. "Also, in this tough economy, it's difficult for many young people to afford health insurance. So now, insurers and employers who provide dependent coverage are required to make that coverage available at their next open enrollment period to children up to age 26."
"The emphasis in health care today is staying healthy, and we can do that through preventive care," Granholm continued. "Health care reform now makes preventive care more affordable. Health insurance plans have to, upon renewal, eliminate any cost-sharing for preventive services covered under the contract. So insurance companies can no longer charge a deductible, a co-pay or co-insurance for preventive care measures such as immunizations."
"To learn more about how all of these reforms affect your current health coverage, contact your health insurer or employer," Granholm said. "And if you have any questions or complaints regarding an insurance company or an agency, agent or product, contact the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation."
"The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will provide further benefits down the road, such as affordable coverage options for the uninsured and those who purchase their own individual health insurance," Granholm said. "But already we're seeing important changes in areas such as preventive services and protecting health care for children. Our health care system is being transformed for the better, and all Americans will benefit."
The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available for download on the governor's Web site at www.michigan.gov/gov together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address also is available as a podcast on the Web site as well as on iTunes and via RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
Radio Address - Health Insurance Reforms
Full: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov268Full_333351_7.mp3
Edited: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov268Edit_333352_7.mp3
Quote: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov268Quote_333353_7.mp3
Hello, this is Governor Jennifer Granholm.
If you have health insurance, your coverage is now stronger and better, thanks to health care reform.
Back in March, Congress passed and President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - the single most important reform of America's health care system in decades.
On September 23, several parts of the act took effect that protect people and their families and improve their health coverage. For example, no longer can insurance companies deny coverage for children under age 19 based upon a pre-existing medical condition.
Also, in this tough economy, it's difficult for many young people to afford health insurance. So now insurers and employers who provide dependent coverage are required to make that coverage available at their next open enrollment period to children up to age 26. That's great news for the more than 950,000 young adults in Michigan.
The emphasis in health care today is staying healthy, and we can do that through preventive care. Health care reform now makes preventive care more affordable. Health insurance plans have to, upon renewal, eliminate any cost-sharing for preventive services covered under the contract. So insurance companies can no longer charge a deductible, a co-pay or co-insurance for preventive care measures such as immunizations.
There are two other significant provisions that took effect September 23, which provide peace of mind for people with health coverage.
One is that for new plans, insurance companies can't set lifetime limits on significant benefits like hospitalization or emergency services. And the other is that insurers cannot rescind or retroactively cancel your health insurance coverage unless you committed fraud or intentionally misrepresented an important fact on your insurance application.
To learn more about how all these reforms affect your current health coverage, contact your health insurer or employer.
And if you have any questions or complaints regarding an insurance company or an agency, agent or product, contact the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation in the state of Michigan. You can call toll-free at 877-999-6442 or visit www.michigan.gov/ofir
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will provide further benefits down the road, such as affordable coverage options for the uninsured and those who purchase their own individual health insurance. But already, we're seeing important changes in areas such as preventive services and protecting health care for children. Our health care system is being transformed for the better, and all Americans will benefit.
Thank you for listening.
# # #
