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Affordable Care Act |
GOP’s ‘Pledge To America’
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| Insurance Across State Lines |
Allows for the creation of State Health Insurance Compacts – permits states to enter into agreements to allow for the sale of insurance across state lines. (SEC. 1333; p. 100-101) |
“We will allow individuals to buy health care coverage outside of the state in which they live. ” (p. 15) |
| High-Risk Insurance Pools |
The states and the federal government have already established high-risk insurance pools to provide temporary coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions until 2014. (SEC. 1101; p. 30-33) |
“We will expand state high-‐risk pools, reinsurance programs and reduce the cost of coverage” (p. 15) |
| Pre-Existing Conditions |
Children cannot be denied coverage starting today, but beginning in 204, insurers must accept everyone who applies. (SEC. 2702-2705; p. 46-51) |
“We will make it illegal for an insurance company to deny coverage to someone with prior coverage on the basis of a pre-‐existing condition.” (p. 15) |
| Lifetime and Annual Caps |
A health insurer cannot impose lifetime limits and will be prohibited from placing annual limits on plans beginning in 2014. (SEC. 2711; p. 14) |
“[E]liminate annual and lifetime spending caps” (p.15) |
| Recissions |
A health insurance issuer cannot rescind a policy except for in cases of fraud. (SEC. 2712; p. 14) |
“[P]revent insurers from dropping your coverage just because you get sick.” (p.15) |
| State Innovation |
States can receive waives from certain requirements if they can cover the uninsured and lower health costs in a more innovative manner. (SEC. 1332; p. 98-100) |
“We will incentivize states to develop innovative programs that lower premiums and reduce the number of uninsured Americans.” (p.15) |
| Conscience Protections |
The law does not affect existing conscience protections or discriminate “on the basis of the willingness or refusal to provide, pay for, cover, or refer for abortion or to provide or participate in training to provide abortion.” (SEC. 1303; p. 67) |
“We will also enact into law conscience protections for health care providers, including doctors, nurses, and hospitals.” (p.15) |
