Pelosi Statement on Administration's Regulations Providing Preventive Care Benefits in New Health Plans

WASHINGTON, July 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after the Administration issued regulations implementing provisions of the Affordable Care Act that provide for free preventive care benefits in new plans.  Specifically, the regulations will help make prevention affordable and accessible by requiring new health plans to cover recommended preventive services without charging a deductible, copayment or coinsurance.

"Today's announcement marks another step forward in our effort to fulfill the fundamental goals of health insurance reform: providing access to affordable care for all Americans and ensuring the health and well-being of every family.  With this change, prevention coverage will improve for as many as 41 million Americans next year and as many as 88 million Americans by 2013.

"Opening the door to preventive care means vaccines and flu shots for our children, and regular visits to the pediatrician – key building blocks for a lifetime of health.  It means women will be able to get counseling, screening, and vaccines for healthy pregnancies, and have easier access to mammograms and a wide range of critical services.  And it means greater access to cancer screenings, routine immunizations, and blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol tests for all patients.

"Despite the broad benefits tens of millions of Americans will reap from these new rules of the road, Congressional Republicans continue their calls to repeal health insurance reform.  As families, seniors, small business owners, young adults, and children begin to realize the benefits of reform, Congressional Republicans stick to the same script: protect the special interests and insurance companies, and say 'no' to progress at every turn.  The American people cannot afford this type of leadership.  Democrats will keep fighting for Main Street and the middle class."

SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House