The healthcare reform law, which was supposed to increase access to healthcare, may have exactly the opposite effect for some children. The law requires insurers to accept all children, regardless of medical condition. But insurers fear that parents will wait until their kids get sick before signing them up for coverage, which could saddle the insurers with unpredictable costs. Because insurers can't refuse a patient with a pre-existing condition, patients often will wait until they need coverage before purchasing it, only to drop it once they are well again. That in turn, drives up the cost of coverage for everyone else.

Written by Sandra Yin. Published by Fierce Healthcare

National healthcare reform is expected to save Maryland $829 million over the next decade and provide coverage to nearly 350,000 people — reducing the number of uninsured in the state by half. The savings will be achieved by supplanting state spending with increased federal funding for health care programs for those who can't afford it. As more people get health insurance, the state also expects to see declines in uncompensated care. The cost of treating the uninsured who seek treatment and can't pay the bill is incorporated into hospital rates paid by Medicaid and private insurers.

Written by Andrea K. Walker. Published by The Baltimore Sun

Patients whose claims are denied by their health plans will be able to appeal those denials to an external reviewer under new regulations. The healthcare reform will require consumers have access to independent third party review of a health insurance claim.

Written by Joyce Frieden. Published by MedPage Today

New healthcare reform will expand rights to appeal denials of health insurance claims under federal regulations will make it easier for consumers to dispute an insurer's decision within the plan and require coverage to continue during the appeal. Consumers will have the right to an independent, third-party review of insurers' decisions; Previously in some states, the outside reviewer is hired by the insurer that denied the claim.

Written by Alison Young. Published by USA TODAY

The House of Representatives on Sunday night approved sweeping legislation to guarantee Americans access to medical insurance for the first time, delivering President Obama the biggest victory of his young presidency.

Written by Noam N. Levey and Janet Hook. Published by The Los Angeles Times

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