Rep. Johnson: Patient Bill of Rights provisions take effect Sept. 23

Cautions that insurance companies are still attempting to put ‘profits over people’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) praised the key provisions of the new Patient’s Bill of Rights that take effect on September 23 as part of historic health care reform passed by Congress this year, but he cautioned that some insurance companies are still attempting to put profits over people.

Health care reform, which was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama earlier this year, includes a Patient’s Bill of Rights.

Taking effect on September 23 are new rules prohibiting insurance companies from cancelling coverage when a consumer becomes sick; rules prohibiting the denial of coverage or restriction of benefits for children who suffer from a pre-existing condition; and rules prohibiting lifetime limits on coverage, helping prevent families from going broke or losing their home just because a loved one has an accident or becomes ill.

“The fact that some insurance companies are refusing to issue new child-only policies because the companies will no longer be able to deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions is not only brazen but based upon greed,” said Rep. Johnson.

“To make a business decision on the backs of children with pre-existing conditions is unconscionable. I hope insurance companies will honor their commitment and work with us to ensure that pre-existing condition exclusions for children will soon be a thing of the past.”

Johnson said, “Republican threats to dismantle the health insurance law is further proof that their agenda is a cynical ploy to protect profits over people.”

Other key provisions that take effect Sept. 23:

► Children up to age 26 can stay on parents’ health plan

► Patients have the right to key preventive services without deductibles or co-payments

► Patients have the right to both internal and external appeal if the patient’s health plan refuses coverage for treatment recommended by the patient’s doctor

► Patients have the right to choose their primary care doctor

► Patients have the right to access out-of-network emergency room care at in-network rates

To learn more about these provisions and other ways that health reform will help protect patients, please visit www.healthcare.gov.

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