Apparently, reports of the death of the "public option" in current health care legislation were premature. The House of Representatives passed a health are reform bill that includes a health insurance plan offered by the federal government.
The new bill, the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R.3962), replaces the previous bill (H.R.3200) originated in the House. H.R.3962 passed by the slimmest of margins, but passed nonetheless.
What would this bill mean for you if the Senate passes similar legislation and it becomes law? If you don't have insurance coverage now, you probably will. If you're a low-income American, you may qualify for a subsidy to help you buy health insurance. More employers will be providing coverage for their employees.
Perhaps more importantly, the bill prohibits your health insurer from refusing coverage (or charging different rates) based on your medical history. This could have an impact on those with eating disorders, since medical problems are common.
I haven't seen anything about whether you should expect to see your insurance rates rise under these conditions. Insurance companies charge high-risk customers more and low-risk customers less. If these charges have to be the same across all customers, you may see the rates on your current policy rise (or fall, if you're a high-risk person). Unless, of course, you end up with the public option.
- Health risks associated with eating disorders
- How connected are body mass index and health?
- Troubling dance between eating disorders and diabetes
| Add to Technorati | Free Newsletter | Eating Disorders Forum |


