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How would health reform affect you? WELLNESS >>

Now that the election is over, what will become of health care reform?

Date published: 11/16/2008

AFTER what seems like an eternity, we've finally elected a new president. The election revealed many areas of contention, but one of the hottest debates was about health care. So now that Election Day has passed, what changes to health care can we expect, and when?

First of all, let me say that I doubt we'll see sweeping reform of the health care system soon (i.e., within the next year). Why? The problem is too large and complicated; the economy has taken a front seat; and there are many differing opinions about what health care change should look like--and many powerful lobbies fighting to keep it as is.

That said, there are government representatives, including prominent senators such as Ted Kennedy, who are already working on health care reform proposals.

The following are some of the key areas of the health care debate and how they may affect you.

PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE

President-elect Obama wants to increase access to both private insurance and government-administered health care by creating a public system--perhaps similar to Medicare--while also creating an extended private system.

In order to play, private insurers would have to meet certain criteria, such as no exclusions for pre-existing conditions. If you like the insurance you already have, you can just keep it.

How would this affect you?

Basically, if Obama succeeds in doing this, obtaining insurance should be less expensive and easier. Those who don't have access to an employer's plan or an inexpensive individual plan should be able to buy insurance at reasonable prices through the public plan--which will include subsidies--or a regulated private one.

PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS

We should be witnessing the end of health insurance availability being the deal-breaker when it comes to decisions about taking and leaving jobs.

Under Obama's plan, insurance companies would no longer be able to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions, decisions that can seem arbitrary at best.

How would this affect you?

If you have anything from arthritis to cancer, you should be able to change jobs or start your own business without having to worry about having health insurance. Hopefully, premiums will be kept under control as well.

INSURANCE FOR CHILDREN

Dr. Arlene Lewis is a gynecologist in private practice at Thrive! Health and Wellness Center in Fredericksburg.

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Date published: 11/16/2008

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