[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16310]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           HEALTH CARE REFORM

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, today marks 6 months since Congress 
enacted the new health care reform law.
  Americans have reason to celebrate.
  The new law put America on the road to a more sustainable consumer-
friendly health care system.
  The new law put America on the road to a healthcare system in which 
all Americans have access to quality, affordable health insurance.
  And the new law put America on the road to a health care system in 
which patients and their doctors--not insurance companies--control 
patient care.
  These transformative changes will not happen overnight. But we heard 
the distressed cries from American families and businesses for 
immediate relief from insurer abuses. Congress included in the new 
health reform law many consumer protection provisions that take effect 
today, September 23, 2010.
  These provisions--a new Patient's Bill of Rights--put an end to some 
of the worst insurance company abuses. The new law puts consumers in 
control of their health care decisions. And the new law extends 
important new coverage benefits under insurance plans.
  Starting today plans cannot discriminate against children with 
preexisting conditions. No longer will insurance companies be able to 
deny tens of thousands of families insurance each year for their 
children because of a preexisting condition.
  Starting today insurance companies are banned from canceling your 
coverage due to an unintentional mistake on your application. No longer 
will insurance companies be allowed to arbitrarily drop your coverage 
when you get sick and need it the most.
  Starting today insurance companies can no longer place lifetime or 
restrictive annual limits on coverage. No longer will families need to 
worry that their coverage will run out when they need it the most.
  Starting today when you purchase or join a new insurance plan, you 
have the right to choose your own doctor in your network. No longer 
will insurance companies be able to arbitrarily decide which doctor you 
have to see.
  Starting today, if you purchase or join a new insurance policy, you 
will be guaranteed the right to appeal insurance company decisions to 
an independent third party. No longer will consumers find themselves 
with nowhere to turn when insurers deny them coverage or restrict their 
treatment.
  Starting today, providers and suppliers--that is doctors and medical 
equipment manufacturers--who fail a fraud screening will be denied 
eligibility for payments under government programs like Medicare and 
Medicaid. No longer will providers and suppliers be able to defraud the 
government and taxpayers instead of provide quality health care.
  There is more. Starting today, young adults will be allowed to remain 
on their parents' plan until their 26th birthday, unless they are 
offered coverage at work. No longer will young adults be without 
affordable coverage options. Now they will have choices to transition 
them into their adult lives and protect them from financial ruin.
  And starting today, if you purchase or join a new insurance plan, you 
will be able to receive free recommended preventive care. No longer 
will Americans have to forgo valuable preventive care until it is too 
late.
  All of the benefits that begin today are in addition to the benefits 
that families and businesses already enjoy as a result of the new 
health reform law.
  Already because of the new law, across the Nation, federally 
subsidized preexisting condition insurance plans are available for 
Americans with preexisting conditions who have been denied coverage by 
insurance companies.
  Already because of the new law up to 4,000 small businesses are 
eligible for tax credits this year if they provide health insurance for 
their employees.
  Already because of the new law, more than 2,000 businesses have 
qualified to receive reimbursement for the retiree coverage that they 
provide.
  And already because of the new law, more than a million seniors have 
received rebate checks to reduce their prescription drug out-of-pocket 
costs in the donut hole.
  Today, with this 6-month mark, we pass a key milestone on our road to 
providing quality, affordable health care to all Americans.
  This milestone is just one of many along the road. But this milestone 
is one that signals an end to the insurance companies' worst abuses. 
This milestone signals the beginning to patient-controlled health care, 
and that is something to celebrate.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. HAGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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