Health Care Reform Will Abolish the Pre-Existing Condition Clause

Published: Thu 29 Apr 2010

Perry Begay

Medicare beneficiaries have never been denied health insurance coverage due to a pre-existing condition. Everyone eligible for the program receives a chance at high-quality medical care regardless of pre-existing illnesses.

With the passage of historic health care reform on March 21, 2010, now every American can access health insurance without having to worry about a preexisting condition or lifetime benefit caps.

The new health care reform law is a major victory for those with pre-existing conditions. Now, these Americans can purchase health insurance without the disconcerting possibility of their coverage getting canceled when they become ill. For example, if you have any history of heart disease or cancer, two very common conditions, you might not have been able to find coverage on the individual market.

If you happen to become ill while uninsured, your bills could be even higher because hospitals and doctors tend to charge those without coverage higher rates. One bout of bad health could put you hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, all because your pre-existing condition precluded you from coverage.

Thankfully, this is no longer the case. The health care reform law provides what AARP refers to as "health security for all." Finally, the general public will have the access to coverage Medicare beneficiaries have enjoyed for decades.