Lengthy Health Care Bill Causes Some Confusion

Most Americans are unsure of how exactly the health care overhaul will impact their lives. Some of the legislation will begin this year and other parts of the bill will take years to roll out.

Monday, March 22nd 2010, 5:26 pm

By: News 9


By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Most Americans are unsure of how exactly the health care overhaul will impact their lives. Some of the legislation will begin this year and other parts of the bill will take years to roll out.

The large stack of papers, more than 2,500 to be exact, make up the health care package that passed the House and not even state officials and lawmakers can fully explain it. So, it's no wonder why Oklahomans, both insured and uninsured, are confused.

"No one understands, but I would love to understand," Holly LaRue said.

LaRue wants to know what the government is serving up in health care. She's one of thousands of uninsured Oklahomans.

"I would like insurance, but can't afford it," LaRue said.

LaRue heard under the changes there are a few options, one being small businesses like her employer will have to provide coverage, but she wonders at what cost.

"Down the line, am I going to lose all my Social Security benefits or everything else to pay for this?" LaRue said.

Her manager is all for health care reform, but even he doesn't know what it all means.

"We don't know where we are going to go with this, and don't know how it's going to go just like other business owners, it's hard to say right now," Lee Bennett, small business manager, said.

But the state's insurance commissioner did provide some insight.

"In 2014 small businesses will be required or they will have to pay a penalty," Commissioner Kim Holland said.

While that will take years to happen Commissioner Holland says more immediate changes are in store for the insured.

"In the immediate area of change that will be helpful to some people in respect to individual and group coverage will be allowed to stay on their parent's plan until age 26," said Commissioner Holland. "Children can be covered without preexisting limitation conditions, even on individual plans, so if you have an ill child you can get coverage for them."

And the debate over if it will raise premiums is yet to be seen like so many aspects of the newly passed bill.

"I definitely think everyone should be able to get affordable health insurance, but I just don't know if this is it or not," LaRue said.

Those currently insured can keep their work-provided coverage and uninsured families and individuals who make a certain amount of money could choose from Medicaid or government-paid private insurance. 

The so-called "Cadillac" insurance plans will be taxed under the new bill and those making $250,000 or more will see an increase on their Medicare payroll taxes and unearned income.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

March 22nd, 2010

March 14th, 2024

December 4th, 2023

September 25th, 2023

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024