Day 8 -

Programs of Health Promotion or Disease prevention:

-wellness programs offered by an EMPLOYER

- {double negatives galore, but I think it says that } individuals may not be prohibited from participating in wellness programs because of a health status factor or if there is a program for all people with the same health status factor. Existing wellness programs may continue.

- wellness program Demonstration Project: by 2014 thru 2017, the Secretary will establish a 10 State demonstration project. After 2017, they may expand to additional states with stipulations.

Section 2706 NON-DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTH CARE.

- group health plan and health ins. issuers shall not discriminate against any health care provider.

Section 2707. COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH INS COVERAGE

- Health ins. issuers must offer 'essential health benefits packages' to all individual and small group buyers. (see sec. 1302 of this bill.... {sorry guys, we haven't come to that yet... the numbering isn't straight forward... somehow we are amending first and then we get to the bill)

-A group health plan with cost-sharing shall not exceed limitations imposed in Sec. 1302

-Enrollees may be under 21.

- dental only. this section shall not apply to a plan described in Sec. 1302(d)(2)(B)(ii)(I)... I think I am glad we aren't in Sec. 1302!

Section 2708 PROHIBITION ON EXCESSIVE WAITING PERIODS

- no waiting period greater than 90 days.

PART II -- OTHER PROVISIONS

Section 1251. Preservation of right to maintain existing coverage.

(a) No Changes to existing coverage: (Grandfathered Health Plans)

- In General - Nothing in this Act shall require an individual to terminate their current coverage {when critics remark that we will lose current coverage, it is because when insurance issuers raise rates to cover mandates, or go out of business, we will lose our current coverage... I'm just saying....}

- Nothing in this Act applies to existing coverage.

- Family members may join individuals on a current plan (and which is renewed after enactment day) if such a plan allows.

- New employees may join a current group plan if allowed by that plan.

SECTION 1252. RATING REFORMS MUST APPLY UNIFORMLY TO ALL HEALTH INS. ISSUERS & GROUP HEALTH PLANS

- all the standards and requirements of this Act apply to all health plans uniformly.

SECTION 1253 EFFECTIVE DATE - FOR SUBTITLE C (MOST OF YESTERDAY AND TODAY) JAN. 1, 2014.

TOMORROW SUBTITLE D....