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U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced Thursday the introduction of a new health care reform bill, H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for Americans Act. The act is a combination of previous bills from the Education and Labor, the Energy and Commerce, and the Ways and Means Committees.

"I am very grateful for the cross-section of Members that we have -- generationally, geographically, philosophically -- in every way and from all the committees of jurisdiction that worked on this legislation." The 1990-page bill is sponsored by U.S Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI).

"The Affordable Health Care for America Act is founded on key principles of American success: opportunity, choice, competition, and innovation. We have listened to the American people, we are putting forth a bill that reflects our best values and addresses our greatest challenges," Pelosi said.

Rep. Dingell stated in a release on his website, "We have the world's best doctors and nurses, but because millions of our people have no access to the care they provide, we've become the unhealthiest industrialized nation on the globe. That is about to change because of H.R. 3962. Not only will the legislation cover 96 percent of our citizens, but it will reduce the deficit and help our businesses get equal footing with international competitors. The bill offers the chance to dramatically improve the quality of life in our nation."

Dingell says the key components of the Affordable health Care for America Act include:

--People may keep their current plans if they prefer;
--A new Health Insurance Exchange will be established for those not covered at work, where consumers can comparison shop affordable, quality health care options of private plans, health co-ops, and a new public health insurance option;
--Americans will have portable, secure health care coverage if their employer drops their plan or they lose their job;
--Coverage through the Exchange will have a plan that includes standardized, comprehensive and quality health care benefits;
--Increases in premiums or denials of care based on pre-existing conditions, race, or gender will be eliminated, and age-based rating will be strictly limited;
--Co-pays for preventive care will be eliminated, and out-of-pocket expenses will be capped;
--A focus on prevention, wellness, and strengthening programs;
--Increases the health care workforce;
--Strengthens Medicare and Medicaid and closes the Medicare Part D "donut hole";
--Employers can continue offering coverage to workers, and those who choose not offer coverage contribute a fee of eight percent of payroll;
--All individuals will be required to get coverage through their employer or the exchange, or pay a penalty of 2.5 percent of income, subject to a hardship exemption;
--The federal government will provide affordability credits, available on a sliding scale for low- and middle-income individuals and families.

Imaging Impact

Of note to the imaging industry, this bill has changes beginning in 2011, allowing for the Utilization Rate assumption for advanced diagnostic imaging services to be increased from 50 percent to 75 percent. The technical component payment reduction for sequential imaging services on consecutive body parts during the same visit would increase from 25 percent to 50 percent.

Dingell says that the bill will not add to the deficit, and estimates show the bill will slow the rate of growth of the Medicare program from 6.6 percent annually to 5.3 percent annually. The legislation will be financed though the savings achieved by making Medicare and Medicaid more efficient and revenue generated from placing a surcharge on the top 0.3 percent of all households in the U.S.(married couples with adjusted gross income of over $1,000,000) and other tax measures. Dingell adds that the Congressional Budget estimates the bill will reduce the deficit by at least $100 billion over ten years.

Speaker Pelosi's remarks can be accessed at:
http://speaker.house.gov/newsroom/pressreleases?id=1424

Rep. Dingell's release can be accessed at:
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mi15_dingell/091029healthcare.shtml

The bill can be accessed at:
http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf