White House: How does health reform affect Wisconsin?

New Fact Sheet Outlines Immediate Benefits of the Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, DC — The Obama Administration today highlighted new information that describes how the Affordable Care Act, just five months after its enactment, is already giving Americans more control over their health care. A new fact sheet is available that outlines the specific, immediate benefits of the Affordable Care Act for Wisconsin, and can be found by visiting http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/downloads#states.

“Americans want to know how health insurance reform affects their communities,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, we have been working closely with States on implementation – and the immediate benefits of this historic legislation are beginning to take effect.”

The Affordable Care Act builds on efforts by many states to protect consumers and hold insurers accountable. The new fact sheets outline many of the Act’s immediate benefits, including steps to close the Medicare Part D “donut hole” prescription drug coverage gap, a new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, and new consumer protections such as the Patient’s Bill of Rights. Other immediate benefits include investments in the expansion and construction of community health centers throughout the nation and new resources to bolster the primary care workforce to improve access to care for more Americans.

More information on the Affordable Care Act is available at http://www.HealthCare.gov.