NCPA Releases Consumer's Guide to Explain Health Reform Costs, Benefits

The first detailed and objective consumer's guide on the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has recently been released by the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA), titled "What Does Health Care Reform Mean To You? A Detailed Analysis"

"The guide does not ignore the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, but it also does not deny the costs," said NCPA President, CEO and Kellye Wright Fellow John C. Goodman. "This is the first unbiased summary of health care reform costs and benefits, and it's a unique resource."

"The consumer's guide answers questions about the coming changes and costs in Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance, employer coverage, and income tax returns," added Goodman.

As described by the group, the research analyzes the costs, benefits and drawbacks of health reform changes, including: -- Health insurance requirements and fines for individuals and employers

-- Expanded health coverage for up to 34 million people

-- Projected shortages of doctors, nurses and hospitals

-- Free health plan preventative services

-- New coverage protections for patients with pre-existing conditions

-- Reporting family income totals to your employer

-- Benefit and spending cuts for the elderly and disabled on Medicare

-- New taxes on private health insurance, drugs, medical devices

-- Insurance subsidies and changes in coverage options

To educate patients, doctors and all those affected by the new health care law, the NCPA has also produced a shorter version of the guide in a summary pamphlet, also titled "What Does Health Care Reform Mean To You?" The pamphlet is a succinct and unbiased overview of the Affordable Care Act changes, in layman's terms, to help consumers understand what to expect from health care reform.