On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law comprehensive health reform legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The new law contains several provisions that will expand coverage and improve the quality of care for low-income people with disabilities.

 

Basic highlights of the new law include:

• Requirement that all individuals have health insurance, and establishment of minimum standards for health insurance policies that can be purchased through state level Exchanges;
• Expansion of Medicaid coverage for all individuals under age 65 with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level;
• Parity coverage for mental health and substance abuse services;
• Creation of demonstrations and pilots to create medical homes for individuals with chronic conditions, and to improve overall efficiency and quality of care;
• Increased access to home- and community-based services for people with disabilities through Medicaid; and
• New long-term care options for people with disabilities.

For More Information:

 

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law summaries & fact sheets

 

Kaiser Family Foundation summary of the law, implementation timeline & how health reform affects Medicaid

 

National Council for Community Behavioral Health summaries, facts sheets, implementation timelines & webinars