How Health Care Reform Helps Philadelphia and Montgomery County Residents:

Chuck & Pat, Philadelphia

Chuck & Pat are both employed and have good health coverage. They have always paid for the most expensive plan their employer offers because it is the only option that does not have a lifetime limit on coverage. This is important because their 17-year-old son, CJ, has hemophilia – a blood-clotting disorder that requires very expensive medication to control. People with hemophilia often reach lifetime insurance limits in just a matter of months. They have always worried about what would happen to CJ when he went out on his own. Would he be able to find coverage that didn’t have a lifetime maximum?

The Affordable Care Act prohibits health insurance companies from imposing lifetime limits on beneficiaries, which means that Chuck and Pat will have more options for coverage through their employer, and CJ won’t have to worry about finding good coverage when he leaves home.

Learn more about how health care reform protects consumers from insurance company abuses And make it hyperlink to this site http://www.healthcare.gov/law/provisions/limits/limits.html

Framers Workroom, Jenkintown

Established in 1976, Framers’ Workroom is one of Jenkintown’s longest standing businesses and oldest picture frame shop. Owner Phoebe Wood offers health insurance benefits to her few employees, but it becomes more difficult each year as costs go up.

Because of the Affordable Care Act, Framers’ Workroom is now eligible for a tax credit of up to 35 percent to help pay for health benefits for employees. In 2014, the tax credit will increase, up to a possible maximum of 50 percent.

Learn more about how health care reform helps small businesses provide health coverage for their employees And make it hyperlink to this site http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=223666,00.html

Linda Gillespie, Philadelphia

Linda Gillespie lost her health insurance when her husband died. She was able to purchase insurance on the private market for herself and her son, but then a billing error caused her policy to be cancelled. Even though her insurer eventually admitted its mistake, Linda was uninsured for nearly a year. All of her applications for other coverage were denied because her high blood pressure is considered a "pre-existing condition."

Because of the Affordable Care Act, Linda is now enrolled in Pennsylvania's new insurance program, FairCare, for uninsured individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

Learn more about who is eligible for Fair Care and how to enroll And make it link to this site http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/health_insurance/9189/pa_fair_care/666211

Patricia Hagerty, Glenside

Patricia is a senior on Medicare. This fall she reached the gap in her prescription drug coverage known as the ‘donut hole’ and because of the Affordable Care Act she will automatically receive a $250 check in the mail to help her afford her prescription drugs.

Learn more about how health care reform closes the Medicare Part D donut hole And make it link to this site http://www.healthcare.gov/law/provisions/donuthole/donuthole.html