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Christine Monahan, Health Policy Advisor

From the desk of ... Christine Monahan

Setting the Record Straight: Best Kept Secrets about Health Reform

February 24, 2010 | Health Care | Health Care > Quality Care Now

Between President Obama issuing a new proposal on health insurance reform on Monday and the White House Health Care Summit Thursday, the beat marches on around this debate in Washington.

But people around the country are wondering how health reform will help them. I think you'll agree that the amount of misinformation and scare tactics spread by opponents over the past several months has confused just about everyone about what the health bills in Congress would really accomplish.

It's time to set the record straight.

The National Partnership for Women & Families created a list of the top 10 best kept secrets about health reform, because people across the country need to know how meaningful reform will benefit them and their families. That, after all, is the most important question to answer in this debate.

Here's a look at some of the things opponents don't want you to know about the legislation Congress has passed.

Better Benefits - women and families will be guaranteed coverage for the care they need, from the doctors they need.
Better Care - finally we will invest in innovative new ways to provide health care that will support better communication and coordination among health care providers - and between doctors and patients (and their families) - to prevent errors and duplication that disrupt your care.
Free Preventive Care - both private health plans and Medicare will cover the full costs of a range of preventive services and immunizations, so women and families can stay healthy without worrying about the expensive co-payments or deductibles that now often keep them from getting the care they need.
Coverage for Young Adults - recent high school and college graduates won't be left without coverage as they struggle to find work and start their careers. The new legislation will let young adults stay on their parents' insurance plans until they are 26 years old.

There's more too.

Women and families are counting on lawmakers to get health care reform done and done right. We can't let anyone stand in the way, or mislead the public about meaningful reform. Check out the full list: The Top Ten Best Kept Secrets about Health Insurance Reform and Why Congress Should Pass It Without Delay.