In light of recent Supreme Court discussions regarding health care reform, CNN Health recently released a list of interesting facts entitled “10 Lesser Known Effects of Health Care Reform Law”. While the nation continues to discuss specific provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed into law March 23, 2010, take a look at CNN’s list and see how much you know!
10 Lesser Known Effects of Health Care Reform Law (Source: CNN.com)
1. How many goodies your doctors get
The Physician Payment Sunshine Act under health care reform requires drug, device or medical supply companies to report annually certain payments or things of value that they've given physicians and teaching hospitals. This could be speaking fees, consulting fees, meals and travel.
2. More breastfeeding rooms and breaks
Employers [with 51+ employees] must provide “a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from co-workers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.” Nursing mothers also can take “reasonable” breaks during the workday to express milk, as frequently as the mother needs.
3. Caloric reality at every major chain restaurants
The law requires restaurants with 20 or more locations to list calorie content information for standard menu items on menus and drive-through menus. Other fun facts like fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, sugars, fiber and total protein would have to be made available in writing upon request.
4. Abstinence-only education
The health care legislation renews $50 million per year for five years for abstinence-only education. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, “programs that receive this funding must teach that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems.”
5. Flexible spending accounts stiffen
Flexible spending accounts previously could be used to buy over-the-counter drugs and vitamins. As of 2011, the accounts became restricted to prescription drugs. Health care related purchases that still qualify include condoms, contact lens solution, home diagnostic tests and bandages. But note that in 2013, your contribution amount to these accounts will have an annual limit of $2,500; previously there was no limit.
6. Tanning will cost you
You've been paying a 10% tax every time you've visited the tanning booth, thanks to health care reform. The UV-emitting tanning devices have been classified as “carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization.
7. Support for wellness programs at work
The health care reform law gives companies incentives to start wellness initiatives. Small business got incentives in 2011, when companies with fewer than 100 employees working at least 25 hours per week became eligible for wellness program grants. The law sets up a $200 million grant program from 2011 to 2015. As of 2014, participants in wellness programs generally can get discounts or rewards from their employers of up to 30% of the cost of their health care premiums (currently, the maximum discount is 20%).
8. Free preventive care
Mammograms, physical exams, colonoscopies, vaccinations—these are among the preventive care services that will be fully covered by insurance companies. This requirement kicked in for new health insurance plans that began on or after September 2010. Examples of preventive care include screenings for cholesterol, diabetes, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, which are covered without a co-pay.
9. Home visits to expecting families
The law also includes funding support for early childhood home visitation for people expecting children and families who have young children. Professionals come to the home to provide information and support. The aim is to reduce child abuse and neglect, promote the health of mothers and their children and prioritize high-risk populations. The health care law provides $1.5 billion for related state-based initiatives over five years.
10. Health plans you can read
The health reform law requires health insurers and health plans to provide concise and understandable information about the plan and its benefits. Patients have a right to two key documents to understand and compare their health insurance choices: a comprehensible summary of benefits (which is standardized similar to nutrition facts on packaged foods) and a glossary of terms of health insurance coverage.
10 Lesser Known Effects of Health Care Reform Law (Source: CNN.com)
1. How many goodies your doctors get
The Physician Payment Sunshine Act under health care reform requires drug, device or medical supply companies to report annually certain payments or things of value that they've given physicians and teaching hospitals. This could be speaking fees, consulting fees, meals and travel.
2. More breastfeeding rooms and breaks
Employers [with 51+ employees] must provide “a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from co-workers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.” Nursing mothers also can take “reasonable” breaks during the workday to express milk, as frequently as the mother needs.
3. Caloric reality at every major chain restaurants
The law requires restaurants with 20 or more locations to list calorie content information for standard menu items on menus and drive-through menus. Other fun facts like fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, sugars, fiber and total protein would have to be made available in writing upon request.
4. Abstinence-only education
The health care legislation renews $50 million per year for five years for abstinence-only education. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, “programs that receive this funding must teach that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems.”
5. Flexible spending accounts stiffen
Flexible spending accounts previously could be used to buy over-the-counter drugs and vitamins. As of 2011, the accounts became restricted to prescription drugs. Health care related purchases that still qualify include condoms, contact lens solution, home diagnostic tests and bandages. But note that in 2013, your contribution amount to these accounts will have an annual limit of $2,500; previously there was no limit.
6. Tanning will cost you
You've been paying a 10% tax every time you've visited the tanning booth, thanks to health care reform. The UV-emitting tanning devices have been classified as “carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization.
7. Support for wellness programs at work
The health care reform law gives companies incentives to start wellness initiatives. Small business got incentives in 2011, when companies with fewer than 100 employees working at least 25 hours per week became eligible for wellness program grants. The law sets up a $200 million grant program from 2011 to 2015. As of 2014, participants in wellness programs generally can get discounts or rewards from their employers of up to 30% of the cost of their health care premiums (currently, the maximum discount is 20%).
8. Free preventive care
Mammograms, physical exams, colonoscopies, vaccinations—these are among the preventive care services that will be fully covered by insurance companies. This requirement kicked in for new health insurance plans that began on or after September 2010. Examples of preventive care include screenings for cholesterol, diabetes, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, which are covered without a co-pay.
9. Home visits to expecting families
The law also includes funding support for early childhood home visitation for people expecting children and families who have young children. Professionals come to the home to provide information and support. The aim is to reduce child abuse and neglect, promote the health of mothers and their children and prioritize high-risk populations. The health care law provides $1.5 billion for related state-based initiatives over five years.
10. Health plans you can read
The health reform law requires health insurers and health plans to provide concise and understandable information about the plan and its benefits. Patients have a right to two key documents to understand and compare their health insurance choices: a comprehensible summary of benefits (which is standardized similar to nutrition facts on packaged foods) and a glossary of terms of health insurance coverage.
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