From my perspective, in a word YES.
While only some of the provisions have been put in place I can already see improvements. Here are some I have personally experienced and will be able to soon.
- My under 26 year old son can stay on our health plan and I have many nephews and nieces recently graduated from college that can stay on their parents plan as well.
- My insurance provider is providing more active wellness and health support programs that will and are bringing down the cost of care.
- Information is electronically transferred so prescriptions are filled faster and more accurately, I do not need to get the same blood test or xray for two different doctors as they can electronically share that info easily. Sharing before was often harder so not done.
- I have ready phone access to nurses, mental health professionals, dieticians, pharmacists, etc. that not only help improve the level of care I get, but lower the cost of my care and sometimes save me needless trips to the doctor or local pharmacy.
- I am encouraged by my providers and my insurance carrier to participate in new and improved wellness programs more so than in the past.
- Having a number of medical conditions, my insurance provider has a program where a registered nurse contacts me periodically to provide me with useful information and make sure there are no barriers to my care. Sometimes they recommend I seek care from a provider I would not otherwise think to and my doctor would not think of but which will keep me healthier and lower healthcare costs over time.
- The annual and lifetime limits on many areas of coverage have been eliminated.
- I can’t be kicked off the insurance program if I get very sick.
- Starting in 2014, I can’t be turned down for insurance or rated out of the market because of preexisting conditions so I can shop for my coverage, change jobs, retire if I wish before age 65 (and get Medicare).
- When my son goes off my plan at age 27, he won’t be turned down for insurance because of preexisting conditions.
- My wife’s premiums will not be higher just because she is a woman, nor will my daughters.
- My health insurance premiums will not go up because of freeloaders that game the system waiting until they are sick to buy health insurance.
- Once the states participate in the Medicaid part of ObamaCare almost everyone in the country will be covered by some level of health insurance. That makes me feel good.
- My small business just got about $1000 back from our insurance company. It was our share of the amount of money they overcharge my company for care because they now have to spend at least 80% of the premiums on health care and not excessive executive compensation, bonuses, marketing, etc.