Our union was instrumental in fighting for healthcare reform for all Americans. Child care providers, janitors and public school employees from around the country came together under the umbrella of SEIU to demand our legislators listen to us and NOT to big insurance companies.

Now that the health insurance reform bill has passed, it can be difficult to see what this legislative change will mean for us. We know that child care providers in Maryland have a number of different types of health care. Some are insured through their spouse, others buy individual insurance and some providers struggle without insurance. So what impact will the healthcare have on us, today and in the future? 

Many provisions of the bill go into effect in 2010, including:

• Adult child may stay on their parent’s insurance until they are 26 years old.
• Beginning in June 2010, if you have been denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition, you may get coverage through a temporary reduced rate high-risk pool.
• In September 2010, small businesses with 25 or fewer employees will be able to deduct up to 35% of their health care premium costs from their taxes, making the cost of coverage cheaper.

Many parts of the health care bill will go into effect in 2014, including:

• Tax credits to help you afford insurance.
• In January 2014, small businesses with 25 or fewer employees will be able to deduct up to 50% of their health care premium costs (depending on average wages) from their taxes, making the cost of coverage cheaper.
• If you are uninsured, you will be eligible for Medicaid, an insurance program run by the federal government and your state that will provide you with comprehensive care at little to no cost.

Want more information on what healthcare reform means for your family?

Visit http://www.seiu.org/a/healthcare/the-best-resources-on-the-internet-for-the-health-care-reform-law.php