Congressman Gregory W. Meeks On Affordable Care Act's New Patient's Bill of Rights

(WASHINGTON, DC)– Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-6), Senior Member of the House Committee on Financial Services and Chairmen of its Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and Trade, is extremely pleased that today marks 90 days since President Barack Obama signed into law the historic health reform legislation. The passing of this legislation has given Americans access to quality, affordable health care while significantly reducing long-term health care costs. New York Staters and Americans across the country are already beginning to see the benefits of health care reform and today, President Obama announced a new Affordable Care Act Patient’s Bill of Rights that will expand and enact the consumer protections in the legislation.

“I am extremely pleased with the new Patient’s Bill of Rights that will ensure greater protection to the American people and give them the necessary tools and resources to make informed decisions about their health care. American families and small businesses have started to see some of the immediate benefits of the health reform legislation that was passed 90 days ago and it is pertinent that we continue to strengthen the health insurance system for everyone,” stated Congressman Meeks.

The regulations that President Obama is introducing today will implement new Patient’s Bill of Rights protections including:

• Protecting your choice of doctors
• Removing insurance company barriers to life-saving emergency department services
• Prohibiting insurance plans from denying coverage or limiting benefits for children with pre-existing conditions
• Banning insurance companies from arbitrarily dropping people who get sick and need coverage most
• Prohibiting insurance plans from placing lifetime limits on coverage
• Restricting the annual dollar limits on coverage by insurance plans

Now serving in his sixth full-term, Meeks was elected to the House on February 3, 1998. Representing New York's Sixth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, Meeks' district covers all towns of Southeast Queens, Far Rockaway and Howard Beach. He is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Congressman Meeks is the Chairman of the International Monetary Policy & Trade Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. He is a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), New Democrats Coalition and the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). He serves as the Co-chair of the Malaysia Caucus, Services Caucus, Dialogue Caucus, OAS Caucus and the Middle East Economic Partnership Caucus.