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March 24, 2011 in City
Insurance chief lists benefits of health care law
Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler testifies on the health bill in 2010.
(Full-size photo)
Washington state residents have benefitted from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler.
Among the most popular provisions of the act, Kreidler said, is the one allowing children to remain on their parents’ health insurance until age 26.
Also benefitting state residents are provisions prohibiting insurers from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions; tax credits for small businesses providing insurance to employees; and help closing the “doughnut hole” in Medicare prescription drug coverage.
Responding to criticism that the act has raised the cost of insurance, Kreidler, a former Democratic state legislator, said the increase – 3 percent to 5 percent in Washington – has come with a corresponding increase in benefits, such as no charge for preventative services and no lifetime caps.
“This is far from a perfect document, I think we all agree to that,” Kreidler said. “But we didn’t have a choice. The system was collapsing on us.”
Staff writer Kevin Graman
1992 murder trial begins against sex offender 
Ninch on March 24 at 6:57 a.m.
Obama seems to have turned what I thought were ethical people into his loyal troops to put out B.S. hoping we Americans will believe, believe, believe without benefit of fact. Mike Kreidler very well knows that Washington State before Obamacare allowed ADULT children to remain on their parents insurance until TWENTY-FIVE (RCW48.44.215) as did most states with ages ranging from 24 to 29. Yes, really. This Obamacare mandate is not the big fix that everyone touts. The only reason it is “popular” is because persons did not know they already had similar options.
BTW: Democrats argue out of both sides of their mouth. They blame Bush for Medicare prescription coverage significantly raising the debt (even though it cost much less than originally estimated) and yet promote the closing of the donut hole (which BTW has not completely disappeared)…even though most people in the donut hole could afford it.
I ask if tax credits for small businesses is really that effective because it has had a lot of unintended negative consequences for both employers and employees.
Orphan on March 24 at 7:25 a.m.
I did not get to keep my old insurance as promised, it did not meet the new requirements. My rates went up over 25% and my coverare went down. I have been told to expcect another 25% increase as more provisions are enacted.
Please no more change that all the hope I have left.
Vote all the ins out in 2012.
hawken on March 24 at 1:42 p.m.
“Far from the perfect document?”
Like the distance from the sun to Pluto difference?