The Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued regulations to implement a new Patient’s Bill of Rights under the Affordable Care Act – which will help children (and eventually all Americans) with pre-existing conditions gain coverage and keep it; protect all Americans’ choice of doctors; eliminate the need for a referral to see an ob-gyn or seeking emergency care; and end lifetime limits on the care consumers may receive.

The new rules also ensure that if you like your current health care plan, you can keep it; youth up to the age of 26 can stay on their parents health care plan; tax credits for small businesses that have been struggling to provide care to their employees; and $250 checks to tens of thousands of seniors who have reached the ‘donut hole’ — a term used to describe the gap in Medicare Part D prescription coverage.

Source: HHS and HealthReform.Gov; June, 22nd 2010