Our New Health Law: Investing in Prevention

Sources:

American Heart Association, Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2010 Update At-a-Glance, Page 7 (PDF: http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1265665152970DS-3241%20HeartStrokeUpdate_2010.pdf)

American Cancer Society, Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Facts and Figures 2010, Page 32 (PDF:http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/webcontent/acspc-025759.pdf)

National Cancer Institute on Breast Cancer, Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts and Figures 2010 (PDF:http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/webcontent/acspc-025759.pdf)

American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Statistics (http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/?utm_source=RightHandRail&utm_medium=SitePromotion4&utm_content=Stats&utm_campaign=CON)

National Autism Association, Autism is Treatable (http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/psa.php)

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, Basic TB Facts (http://www.cdc.gov/TB/topic/basics/default.htm)

Healthcare.gov, Understanding the New Law (http://www.healthcare.gov/law/about/provisions/services/lists.html)

Thanks to the new health care law, Americans will get timely preventive services that will allow them to stay healthy both now and in the future.

To help you learn more about these preventive services, we’ve developed this virtual patient. Just scroll over a body part to learn how the new law can help you.

Screening and Counseling Services for Adults

Our new health care law improves and protects access to a variety of health and well-being services. Thanks to the law, under new insurance plans, adults must have free access to depression screenings, screening and counseling for alcohol misuse, screening and cessation programs for tobacco use, and obesity screening and counseling.

Screening and Counseling Services for Adults

Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Screening for Adults

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in America

Our new health care law ensures that Americans in new insurance plans can get recommended blood pressure and cholesterol screenings at no charge to help avoid heart disease and prevent heart attacks.

Breast Cancer Mammography Screenings

The National Cancer Institute predicts that nearly 40,000 American women will die of breast cancer in 2010. However, with early detection, women fare better. When breast cancer is detected early, the 5-year survival rate is 98%.

Our new health care law guarantees free access to a myriad of women’s health services under new insurance plans, including mammography screenings every one-to-two years for women over age 40.

Screening for Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes affects over 23 million Americans across the country, with 1.6 million new cases diagnosed in Americans over age 20 each year.

When diabetes is detected early, it is more easily managed and treated, preventing dangerous medical emergencies

Our new health care law requires new insurance plans to provide access to free screenings for type 2 diabetes for at-risk adults.

Screening for Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a highly treatable form of cancer, when detected early.

Our new health care law provides access to free recommended colonoscopy screenings under new insurance plans for adults over age 50.

Osteoporosis Screening for At-Risk Women

Osteoporosis can have a devastating impact on the health and quality of life of older women.

Our new health care law provides free access to recommended osteoporosis screenings for women over age 60 in new insurance plans.

Autism Screening for Children at 18 and 24 Months

Autism typically appears before age 3. It impacts the development of the brain and impairs verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and play behavior. Children with autism can also experience a number of other conditions including asthma, epilepsy, and viral infections.

Early intervention can make a big difference in treating autism, reducing symptoms, and improving quality of life.

That’s why our new health care law provides free access to recommended autism screening for young children in new insurance plans.

Hearing and Vision Screening

When children have problems with their hearing or their vision, succeeding in school and enjoying play time is difficult.

Our new health care law ensures access to free recommended hearing and vision screenings for newborns and children in new insurance plans.

Vaccinations from Birth to Age 18

Appropriate immunizations are essential to making sure that children grow up into healthy adults.

The new health care law ensures that your child can receive recommended, age-appropriate vaccinations at no cost through new insurance plans. Covered immunizations include those for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Polio, Influenza, Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Meningitis, and many other serious but preventable illnesses.

Tuberculosis Testing

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease of the lungs that can be fatal when left untreated. Fortunately, most cases of TB are treatable with medication and can be easily detected with a simple skin test.

Our new health care law provides free access to recommended TB screenings for at-risk children in new insurance plans.