Effects of the Healthcare Reform in Illinois

Had there been no health insurance reforms, including the Illinois Health Insurance Reform, by the year 2019, uninsured persons would have increased to a staggering 30% in 29 states. In 45 states, the numbers of uncompensated care cases would have more than doubled. Also, there would be fewer businesses offering health insurance coverage to employees.

With the new laws, individuals are benefiting through reduced premiums and out of pocket costs; affordable medical insurance; and the knowledge that should you lose your employment, health insurance is available as a result of the Illinois Health Insurance Reform.

Under Healthcare Reform in Illinois:

• Residents will be offered affordable insurance.
  
• Residents may qualify for a premium tax credit reducing their cost of health coverage.
  
• Seniors would be offered preventive services at no cost.
  
• Seniors would also be offered their brand name drug and half the cost via Medicare Part D.
  
• Small businesses would benefit through a small business tax credit making premiums more affordable.

Thanks to the Illinois Health Insurance Reform, real benefits will be produced through proposals implemented in 2010 and 2011 for families, seniors, small businesses and the states.

Families will be ensured that annual claims will be restricted, coverage will not be arbitrarily dropped and that insurance companies will not be able to impose lifetime limits on their coverage.

Immediate options will be provided for those that cannot get insurance coverage due to a physical condition. Healthcare Reform in Illinois will promote health coverage for residents who are planning early retirement.

For seniors, it will reduce premiums via a reduction in Medicare's overpayments to private plans. It will provide preventive services at no cost and reduce prescription drug spending cutting the cost of brand name drugs in half.

For small businesses more affordable health coverage benefits will be available to make offering such benefits to their employees easier. As a result of the Illinois Health Insurance Reform, Tax credits will help qualified small businesses afford their portion.

State benefits from health care reforms will result in a reduction in state employee premiums and a reduction in uncompensated care, which will benefit both the state budget and the taxes imposed on residents.

With the health insurance reform security, choice and stability are provided. The reform will provide protection from increasing health care costs, eliminate the "hidden tax" and provide premium tax credits. The reform will promote health insurance choices and portability. It will also support long term community and home based services.

Other benefits of Healthcare Reform in Illinois include:

• Reduced preventable readmissions to hospital
• Reduction in paperwork for health care providers
• A system of incentives to better primary care provision
• Investment in the primary care of citizens

The health care reforms, as proposed, will provide sweeping changes for the better for residents of Illinois and throughout the nation.