Secretary Kathleen Sebelius: Health care law implementation 'is absolutely on schedule'

[cal04]

Secretary Kathleen Sebelius: Health care law implementation 'is absolutely on schedule'
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2011/01/secretary-kathleen-sebelius-he.html?wprss=44

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius joined Amy Goldstein of The Washington Post and Jeffrey Young of Bloomberg News in a pre-taped interview that aired Sunday on C-SPAN.

"Implementation (of the health care law) is absolutely on schedule," Sebelius said, calling the effort "a daunting task."

Asked about the upcoming health-care repeal vote, Sebelius said, "I think it gives us...an opportunity." She went on to cite a variety of benefits under the bill, including small business tax credits, the ability for parents to keep their children on their family health care plans longer, and the elimination of health-care cost caps.

Challenged on her positive outlook, Sebelius acknowledged that the vote holds risks for the law. "I think there always is a cautionary note with a new piece of legislation," she said, citing the repeal efforts following the passage of social security. She then went on to cite the CBO's estimate that the repeal vote would add billions to the federal deficit. Republicans have rejected the report, with House Speaker John Boehner (R) saying in early January that the CBO was "entitled to their opinion."

[AC_Mem]

1. Interested in everyone's input

How many people do you personally know who are benefiting from the new healthcare law?

I have 2 people at work who's young adult children (age 22) are able to stay on their insurance.
I have a friend who's daughter is suffering depression, she is able to keep her on her insurance and get her treatment
My mother is going to benefit from the new law via getting a plan that does not cost her monthly
My mother is going to benefit immediately from her prescription copays and the dognut hole will begin to close, saving her at least $1,000 this year
My sister is able to put her daughter on her insurance this year.

Thats 5 people I can think of off the top of my head who will benefit from the new law in 2011.

How about you?

[leftstreet]

2. You know 5 people who can afford private insurance. That's wonderful!

Very good news

[AC_Mem]

3. No...

My mother is on Medicare/Medicare Advantage and Social Security. The rest, my friends and sister are employed, their children are either not employed or are employed where they do not receive insurance.

The new law is not perfect, but again - I know five people who are benefiting from it and are in better shape if heaven forbid, they had a need for coverage. And one of them has a pre-existing condition who is now covered.

Annette

[jwirr]

8. Even those of us on Social Security, Medicare & Medicare Advantage

are benefiting. Preventative drugs no longer have co-pays and some programs are free such as exercise plans for diabetics. Those are the things that are working for me. My grandson and his family are finally able to afford insurance. That makes 6 people I can think of right now.

[AC_Mem]

9. Oh that reminds me

Yes! My mother now has several free preventative care opportunities this year that she did not have last year.

Annette

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. The KS Democratic Party is collecting stories from folks who are benefiting from the law

They're trying to combat the new AG's plan to join the lawsuit against the bill.

[AC_Mem]

5. Do you have a link to that info by chance?

Thanks for the info!

:)

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. It's on their Facebook page

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Here. Found it.

I was confused as to which FB page.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_142935329096887¬if_t=group_activity

[Shagbark Hickory]

6. Most of the rpugs I know can't afford private insurance and their kids are on peachcare socialism

anyway.
I personally am still waiting to benefit from the law. I am not holding my breath because it doesn't seem to address the underlying problem that prevents people from getting the care that they need if they don't work for an employer that provides this benefit.

Edit:
I will say that I am anxious to see what happens if the law is allowed to go on. Because if the "marketplace/exchange" thingie does lower the rates, then I would, for the first time as an adult, have health coverage. If it doesn't, then I will still not be covered.