TPM: Starting Saturday, two of the new health care law’s most significant reforms take effect – or at least begin to take effect.
The first will dramatically clamp down on insurance industry waste, abuse, and excesses. Starting on New Year’s Day, insurance companies will have to spend at least 80 percent of the revenues they receive from premiums on actual health care. Not on salaries or overhead…..
..…The other is much more visible. Senior citizens – a demographic that’s skeptical of the bill – will see real benefits. In 2011, the law will begin to close the Medicare Part D coverage gap – the infamous “donut hole.” Seniors who reach the donut hole will now receive a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs, the first step in a 10 year plan to fill the hole completely. Seniors will also now receive free annual checkups, screenings and other preventive care.
Other changes will also kick in … but these are the biggies. Add them to other reforms that have already taken effect – such as a ban on discriminating against children with pre-existing conditions, and the new right parents have of keeping their children on their family insurance plans until they’re 26 years old – and you’re talking about a bunch of stuff that would be very unpopular to repeal.
The Obama Diary 
Excellent reminder!!! WE need those seniors to support our prez. come 2012!!!!
2011 is going to be a tough year for Repubs. This ship is beginning to turn around and sail away from choppy waters and people are beginning to feel calm and safe again. Yet 2011 is the year when Repubs will show us who they really are and it’s gonna be tough for them when Americans turn against them. It’ll be tough for Repubs. Good for us! 🙂
I’m sitting here LMAO thinking about and visualizing all our Golden Girls and Guys having an uprising if the Republicans try and take away all the goodies in this Healthcare bill that will benefit them. And the college kids jamming the halls of the congress trying to get to the Republican house members. LOL They may have not voted in the midterms for Democrats, but the polls would be running over come 2012 voting the Dems back in :))
As a senior, who like many in Tn, believes in President Obana, and appreciates the health care changes, I am embarrassed and angered by our politicians’ blatant misrepresentations of the plan during midterm campaigning. Do not be naive, the critics will stop at nothing. nationally, too many Democratic politicians did not support the president. Obviously, a majority of the populace are not informed. I believe constant in-your-face education is imperative. Do it seriously. Do it with humor. But do it often enough so you reach the folks who watch FOX, don’t watch, or listen, or read the news. Use the bully pulpit President!