How health reform is helping children nationwide

Voices members are speaking out about how health reform is benefiting children in their state. Since this week is the second anniversary of the passage of health reform, we’re excited to see child advocates from all over the country cheer the end of “pre-existing conditions” policies, lifetime benefit caps, and other protections introduced in the law.

“Health reform also ends insurance discrimination based on pre-existing conditions. All Americans will get this protection in 2014, excellent news for the close to half of Americans under 65 who have a health problem that could be considered a pre-existing condition. But up to 17 million children with pre-existing conditions now cannot be denied nor have lifetime limits placed on their coverage,” says Kathy Fletcher, Ph.D., M.P.H., CEO of Voices for Children of San Antonio.

Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, celebrates health reform’s provision that young adults can stay on family insurance plans up to age 26:

“For example, Lisa of Louisville has firsthand experience with the child benefits of the ACA. Her daughter Allie was not ready to begin college right after high school due to setbacks from dealing with anorexia and other mental health issues.

“Lisa was very concerned about her daughter’s health insurance which had been through her father’s fire department policy since her birth, yet she was very relieved to find that Allie could continue to be covered on her father’s insurance until her 26th birthday.”

Has your family been touched by the new health reform law? Sound off in the comments!