WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) – President Obama outlined Saturday morning the benefits of health care reform that will take effect this year, promising affordable coverage for those uninsured with pre-existing conditions, children with pre-existing conditions will not be refused coverage, patient’s choices on doctors will be protected, and tax credits for small business owners who otherwise can’t afford to cover their employees.

President Obama addressed the nation, beginning by briefly analyzing his first year in office. He mentioned the job gains in November, but net loss in December, stating that while job losses for the final quarter of 2009 were one-tenth what they were in the first quarter, he will continue to be “[…] relentless in our efforts to put America back to work.” He continued, saying “That task goes even deeper than replacing the seven million jobs that have been lost over the past two years. We need to rebuild our economy in such a way that our families can feel a measure of security again.”
He then turned his attention to health care reform, reassuring that his administration is close to passing a health reform bill that will “[…]finally offer Americans the security of knowing they’ll have quality, affordable health care whether they lose their job, change jobs, move, or get sick.” He affirmed that costs will come down for American families and businesses as well as the government.

He said that within the first year, insurance plans will be required to offer free preventative care to their customers, insurance companies will no longer be allowed to impose restrictive annual limits on the amount of coverage American’s receive or lifetime limits on the amount of benefits, they’ll also be prohibited from dropping coverage once a patient is sick, and there will be a new appeals process for anyone who feels they were unfairly denied a claim by their insurance provider.

“In short, once I sign health insurance reform into law, doctors and patients will have more control over their health care decisions, and insurance company bureaucrats will have less.” He followed that, stating “[...] these changes represent the most sweeping reforms and toughest restrictions on insurance companies that this country has ever known. That’s how we’ll make 2010 a healthier and more secure year for every American – for those who have health insurance, and those who don’t.”
President Obama closed his address by saying that he is “[…] as hopeful and as confident as ever that we’re going to rise to this moment the same way that generations of Americans always have: as one nation, and one people.”

The “Affordable Health Care for America Act” passed the House of Representatives in November while the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” passed the Senate in late December. The two bills are due to go to Conference where the differences between the two bills, such as the Public Option and financing options, will be resolved. If the Joint Conference Committee is able to resolve the differences between the bills, the resulting Committee report will become the lead proposal for health care reform and will go back to each chamber to be voted on. If passed, the report will be presented to President Obama to sign into law or veto.