Healthcare
![Health professional examining a young patient. Health professional examining a young patient.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130217225424im_/http://rangel.house.gov/sites/rangel.house.gov/files/styles/section_front_boilerplate/public/health.jpg)
Throughout my tenure in Congress I have worked hard to improve the quality, affordability, and accessibility of healthcare for all Americans. Under the leadership of President Barack Obama and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, the Healthcare Reform bill was signed into law on March 23, 2010.
Throughout my tenure in Congress I have worked hard to improve the quality, affordability, and accessibility of healthcare for all Americans. Under the leadership of President Barack Obama and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, the Healthcare Reform bill was signed into law on March 23, 2010. Thanks to the passage of the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act (PPACA) we are closer now to ensuring healthcare for everyone in our country.
According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), the new healthcare law is estimated to expand healthcare coverage to 32 million uninsured people by 2019. This historic legislation will also reduce the federal deficit by $143 billion over the next decade.
I support a healthcare system that is affordable, universal, and driven less by profits and more for the people. On September 23, 2010, the Patient's Bill of Rights went into effect, which means insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage to patients based on pre-existing conditions. The American people, not insurance companies or the government, will take charge of their healthcare.
While we make significant changes to our healthcare system, we must continue our effort to provide more coverage to those who are uninsured and better care to people throughout the United States. Here are just some examples of how the Affordable Care Act is transforming healthcare nationally:
- 86 million Americans (54 million with private insurance coverage plus 32 million in Medicare) are receiving expanded coverage without co-payments for key preventive services. These include diabetes screenings, mammograms, colonoscopies, and wellness exams.
- 2.5 million young-adults have been covered through their parents' policies which cover them till they reach the age of 26.
- Nearly 50,000 Americans who were previously denied insurance due to pre-existing health conditions have been able to obtain coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s state-based high-risk pool program.
- 2,800 employers received much needed assistance to retain benefits and lower costs for retirees and their spouses. Small businesses are eligible for tax credits to help them support their health insurance benefits.
- Individuals and families will see up to $323 million in rebates thanks to the requirement that insurance companies spend premiums on benefits instead of excessive executive salaries and other unnecessary overhead.
I join President Obama and my Democratic Colleagues in Congress to do everything we can to protect the benefits provided by the Affordable Care Act and fight any Republican attempts to repeal this historic legislation.
CBO's Analysis of the Major Health Care Legislation Enacted in March 2010
Congressman Rangel's Accomplishments:
HIV/AIDS Funding
Led the effort in securing major increases in funding for AIDS research and treatment under the Ryan White legislation, and for treatment of AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean.
Medicare Support of New York Hospitals
Led the successful initiative to direct an additional $400 million in Medicare payments for New York's teaching hospitals, nursing homes and health care providers. I also secured Medicare payments to inner-city hospitals, and increased payments for medical education for residents and interns assigned to hospitals serving the poor.
St. Luke's/Roosevelt and Presbyterian Hospitals Reconstruction
Secured federal guarantees for the sale of bonds to finance $300 million for reconstruction of St. Luke's/Roosevelt and $400 million for the renovation of Presbyterian hospitals.
North General Hospital Construction
Intervened with the Internal Revenue Service to authorize construction of East Harlem's new North General Hospital in East Harlem, and secured federal funding for development of its geriatric ward.
Mt. Sinai Hospital Expansion
Helped secure $10 million in funding for the Mt. Sinai Hospital Human Genome Project, allowing expansion of the hospital's clinical services to the community.
Harlem Hospital Affiliation
Was instrumental in upgrading services at Harlem Hospital by increasing its affiliation arrangement with Columbia University Medical School.
Boriken Community Health Center
Saved the Boriken Community Health Center by intervening with the Internal Revenue Service to resolve a tax claim against the East Harlem health facility.
Funding for Kidney Dialysis
Secured adequate levels of reimbursement for dialysis treatments for victims of kidney disease, which disproportionately affects African Americans.
Employer-Provided Health Benefits
Helped lead the effort to protect healthcare and life insurance benefits to employees by preserving tax incentives for employers.
Congressman Charles B. Rangel's Legislation:
The Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act, H.R. 3590 - (Sponsor)
Status: 3/23/2010 Became Public Law No: 111-148 Signed by President Barack Obama
Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a health plan ("health plan” under this subtitle excludes any “grandfathered health plan” as defined in section 1251) from establishing lifetime limits or annual limits on the dollar value of benefits for any participant or beneficiary after January 1, 2014. Permits a restricted annual limit for plan years beginning prior to January 1, 2014. Declares that a health plan shall not be prevented from placing annual or lifetime per-beneficiary limits on covered benefits that are not essential health benefits to the extent that such limits are otherwise permitted
James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, H.R. 847- (Co-Sponsor)
Status: 1/2/2011Became Public Law No: 111-347 Signed by President Barack Obama
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to extend and improve protections and services to individuals directly impacted by the terrorist attack in New York City on September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.
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