Health reform is back in the news this week.  Why?  Today marks the six-month anniversary of the President signing this landmark legislation into law and several of the most-talked about and popular provisions of the law take effect today.

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By Jay Angoff, Director of the Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight

Jay Angoff (image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

If you or a loved one has lived with cancer – you probably know more about the American health insurance system than you ever wanted. While most Americans have health insurance, few really know much about how their insurance works until the worst possible moment, when they are sick and need potentially life-saving care.

During the health reform debate, President Obama talked about the devastation of watching his mother battle both ovarian cancer and her insurance company. Unfortunately, such stories are all too common.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, fewer cancer patients are going to have to fight that two-front war. And many of the new patient rights and protections that will help cancer patients are beginning to take effect NOW, starting September 23rd. Read the rest of this entry »