AP: "First Health Overhaul Provisions Start to Kick In"

Last Thursday, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) established by the Affordable Care Act to provide a new health coverage option for Americans who have been uninsured for at least six months and have been unable to get health coverage because of a pre-existing condition. It is a transitional program until 2014, when insurers will be banned from discriminating against adults with pre-existing conditions.

This is one of several health insurance reforms that have gone into effect since the Affordable Care Act was signed:

Insurance companies have stopped rescinding coverage of policyholders when they need it most»

Seniors hitting the "donut hole" have started receiving their $250 check»

Employers are gaining new resources to help maintain retirees' health coverage»

Small businesses are already taking advantage of tax credits that make it more affordable to provide insurance»

Many under 26 years of age have been able to stay on their parents' health plans»

The Associated Press writes about the provisions that have started to help Americans already in an article today:

The first stage of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul is expected to provide coverage to about 1 million uninsured Americans by next year, according to government estimates.

That's a small share of the uninsured, but in a shaky economy, experts say it's notable.

Many others -- more than 100 million people -- are getting new benefits that improve their existing coverage.

Read the entire article here»