Affordable Care Act Reforms Become Law: What does it mean for children?

Six months ago today on March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act. Today, September 23rd, several important reforms will become law.  Six major reforms will be enacted today, including the  expansion of healthcare coverage to millions of children who previously fell through the cracks of our health care system.

The changes which will impact children are:

• Children under 19 can no longer be rejected from health care plans due to pre-existing conditions. New plans cannot exclude anyone from coverage for a pre-existing condition.
• Young adults can stay on their parents’ health plan until age 26. – Young people are among the least insured populations in the U.S. About nine million Americans ages 18 to 25 go without coverage because they don’t have access, can’t afford the option they do have or believe they don’t need it  (Reuters).
• Insurers can no longer limit the amount of coverage someone can receive over their lifetime.
• Insurers can no longer take coverage away from children when they get sick.

For full information on the new law’s many benefits please visit: www.healthcare.gov.  Please also see the following resources for more information:

• Consumers Union Guide – Health Reform: The First Six Months – This brief, handy guide by the makers ofConsumers Reports was created to give a quick summary of major provisions of the law.
• Getting Covered: A Young Person’s Guide to Health Insurance – U.S. PIRG in partnership with Families USA has highlighted how the law impacts young people.