Timelines and Specifics: Answers to Questions About When Reform Goes into Effect

Submitted by Alison Hirsch on May 21, 2010 - 1:00pm

I spent the last three days in Williamsport, where people still have plenty of questions about exactly what health care reform will mean for them, and when different provisions go into effect. I'm sure that's the case statewide.

Graphic designers have been getting really creative coming up with ways to show what happens when. Check these out:

A fun timeline:

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And click here for a colorful timeline

The Governor's getting busy now, setting up two implementation committees, one chockful of cabinet members and the other an advisory panel including reps from hospitals, insurance companies, doctors, all the usual suspects, plus, according to the executive order: "At least one health care consumer who lacks health care coverage at the time of appointment."

Let's hope it's a few more than just one! And that it can include people who might be covered for the moment but are afraid they could lose their insurance at any time. Really, just about all of us are at risk, just one job loss or serious illness away from losing our insurance. And then there are those on Medicaid, who risk losing their Medicaid if they work "too many" hours, but of course they can't get insurance any other way.

We do have our work cut out for us, making sure that consumers' voices are heard in Harrisburg as state government gears up to implement these changes.

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