Health Reform Will Increase Access to Care for Latinos

For too long our health care system has failed too many Americans, with Latinos among those most affected. Nearly one-third of all Latinos are uninsured-the highest of any racial or ethnic group. Latinos have persistently had trouble accessing basic health care, while suffering higher rates of obesity and chronic illnesses like heart disease. High costs, a tough economy and a system that allowed insurance companies to raise rates, reject claims, and deny coverage without warning, only meant things were going to get worse if we did nothing.

But the passage of the new health care law - the Affordable Care Act - marks a crucial turning point for health care in the Latino community by targeting the very issues that are preventing them from achieving better health, and extending care to millions of Americans. Already, the new law is covering people who have been locked out of the insurance market because of a preexisting condition. The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program is helping employers offer health benefits to their retirees. And small businesses are eligible for tax credits this year to make it easier for them to provide coverage to their workers.

And in the next few years, as reform takes effect, the Affordable Care Act will expand Medicaid and create new, competitive health exchanges, where individuals can choose from a range of affordable, quality health plans. And new tax credits will make it easier for families to afford coverage. Taken together, these measures will extend coverage to 32 million people who would have been uninsured, including millions of Latinos.

The law also takes steps to end the worst insurance company abuses and empowers consumers. Starting this month, the new law prohibits insurance companies from dropping your coverage if you get sick or make a minor mistake on an application, eliminates lifetime limits on the amount of care you can receive on your plan, and prohibits insurers from denying children coverage because of a pre-existing condition like diabetes. It also requires Medicare and all new private insurance plans to cover preventive care like regular check-ups, cancer screenings, and immunizations like flu shots - without charging you out of pocket costs.

And to ensure these services are widely available - especially in communities where it can be difficult to find health services -, the new law supports the doctors and nurses caring for patients at community health centers and local clinics. Through better funding, these centers will not only be able to treat more people; they'll be able to offer more services. The Affordable Care Act also helps break down the barriers that often stand between Latinos and the care they need by ensuring doctors and nurses are trained to meet the unique needs of Latino and other communities. And it includes new incentives like scholarships and loan repayment plans to encourage doctors and nurses to practice in communities where they are needed most.

These are some of the changes that you will see under this new health care law. And to learn more, you can head to a new website accessible in Spanish: CuidadoDeSalud.gov. This website will also allow you to see - for the first time ever - all of your insurance options in one place that can be personalized for you and your family. The fact is, finding the right health insurance is one of the most important decisions we make, but all too often it is a frustrating and difficult process. This website will help change that.

For example, let's say you're a parent living in Los Angeles with your son who has asthma. If you go to CuidadoDeSalud.gov, the first thing you'll do is answer a few basic questions about your circumstances. Based on your choices, the website will give you all your health insurance options in your community in an easy-to-read format. You'll be able to get key information about benefits, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs so you can compare plans and pick the one that is right for you.

CuidadoDeSalud.gov does not collect or store any personal information. It is not selling anything to anyone. This tool will simply help give you the facts, so you can make the best decisions for you and your family.

So the Affordable Care Act will make coverage more affordable for tens of millions of families, cover preventive care, and expand access - especially in communities that need it most. It will end the worst practices by insurance companies. It will empower you with more information and better choices in our health care system. And this new law will make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of Latinos and all Americans in the years to come.

* The author is President of the United States.

For too long our health care system has failed too many Americans, with Latinos among those most affected. Nearly one-third of all Latinos are uninsured-the highest of any racial or ethnic group. Latinos have persistently had trouble accessing basic health care, while suffering higher rates of obesity and chronic illnesses like heart disease. High costs, a tough economy and a system that allowed insurance companies to raise rates, reject claims, and deny coverage without warning, only meant things were going to get worse if we did nothing.

But the passage of the new health care law - the Affordable Care Act - marks a crucial turning point for health care in the Latino community by targeting the very issues that are preventing them from achieving better health, and extending care to millions of Americans. Already, the new law is covering people who have been locked out of the insurance market because of a preexisting condition. The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program is helping employers offer health benefits to their retirees. And small businesses are eligible for tax credits this year to make it easier for them to provide coverage to their workers.

And in the next few years, as reform takes effect, the Affordable Care Act will expand Medicaid and create new, competitive health exchanges, where individuals can choose from a range of affordable, quality health plans. And new tax credits will make it easier for families to afford coverage. Taken together, these measures will extend coverage to 32 million people who would have been uninsured, including millions of Latinos.

The law also takes steps to end the worst insurance company abuses and empowers consumers. Starting this month, the new law prohibits insurance companies from dropping your coverage if you get sick or make a minor mistake on an application, eliminates lifetime limits on the amount of care you can receive on your plan, and prohibits insurers from denying children coverage because of a pre-existing condition like diabetes. It also requires Medicare and all new private insurance plans to cover preventive care like regular check-ups, cancer screenings, and immunizations like flu shots - without charging you out of pocket costs.

 

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