HR3590 Health Care Bill & Government Health Insurance

A law certainly needs an implementing body, and for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act one of these implementers is the Department of Health and Human Services.

The HHS, through its Secretary, is authorized to implement the various provisions stipulated in the Act. In order to empower individuals, families and small businesses to be in control of their own health care, the Secretary of the HHS may implement immediate improvements in the health care coverage of Americans, which may include amending the Public Health Service Act and ensuring that consumers get value for their money. Immediate access to insurance should also be provided for uninsured individuals suffering from pre-existing conditions.

Providing quality health care coverage for all Americans is to be achieved through the implementation of reforms in the health insurance market, which may once again necessitate an amendment to the Public Health Service Act. Also included under this category is ensuring the right of an individual to retain an existing coverage that he or she is satisfied with.

The HHS is also tasked with making available coverage choices for Americans, a task that will include the establishment of qualified health plans. The establishment of health benefit exchanges, which will provide more affordable choices for health insurance plans, is also another way through which quality health care for everyone will be achieved.

In addition to simply providing quality health care, the Secretary of HHS will also strive to make affordable coverage choices available to all Americans. This may be done through premium tax credits and cost-sharing reduction, among others.