Today marks the two-year anniversary of President Obama signing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law.
The Affordable Care Act keeps kids covered by preventing insurance companies from denying coverage for children with pre-existing conditions like asthma or mental illness. Prior to passage, insurance companies could refuse to accept or could limit benefits for anyone with a health problem that developed before applying to join the plan. As many as 17 million children under the age of 18, and their parents, now have peace of mind – knowing that kids are able to receive the care they need.
Tracey, a mother in Appleton, is a strong supporter of the ACA because of this provision. She says, “My son has Neurofibromatosis, a disease that causes tumors to grow all over his body. Sami’s treatments could not continue if we hit our insurance policy’s life time limit. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies can no longer impose lifetime limits or deny health coverage to children like Sami with preexisting conditions. We can afford private insurance despite his preexisting condition and the fact that we are self-employed.” Check out her foundation to educate about Neurofibromatosis.
In 2014, all family members will have this preexisting condition protection. In the meantime, parents with preexisting conditions can join the preexisting conditions insurance plan.
Sara Eskrich
