What Repeal of Health Care Reform will mean for 2011

This blog has already listed 8 benefits you currently have that you can expect to lose if the new GOP congress successfully repeals health care reform. On Thursday, the Center for American Progress listed some of the benefits that are suppose to become available in 2011 but won’t if the Affordable Care Act is repealed.

The biggest benefit to currently insured Americans in 2011 will be the requirement that insurance companies spend at least 85% of your premium dollars on medical services. Any insurance company that fails to meet the 85% cutoff (by spending too much on advertising or executive salaries, for instance) will be required to send their customers a check to make up the difference.

2011 will also see benefits for Medicare recipients, including:

• Discounts on drugs for seniors that have hit the “donut hole” in their Medicare Part D coverage
• Coverage without cost-sharing for preventative services under Medicare
• Bonus payment to primary care providers through Medicare that will give doctors an incentive to provide more primary care

Keep these benefits in mind next week as the Republican majority in the House of Representatives votes on its bill to fully repeal health care reform.

-- Center for American Progress / CWA Health Care / Washington Post