Information from the American Celiac Disease Alliance website:

“On Saturday, November 7th, legislation to reform the nation’s health care system cleared its first major hurdle. The House of Representatives voted 220-215 to pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962.

The importance of this legislation for persons with celiac disease or any other chronic health condition cannot be understated. Insurance companies could no longer refuse to cover customers with pre-existing medical conditions. A new program would be created immediately to assist individuals currently unable to obtain insurance due because of prior or ongoing medical conditions. Lifetime and annual limits on benefits would be prohibited. Limitations would also be placed on how premiums are set and insurers could not use health status to charge higher rates. Additionally, plans would be required to cover preventive health services at no cost to the patient.

The insurance market reforms in H.R. 3962 are critically important. Today, if an individual struggles for years before being properly diagnosed with celiac disease, the risk of being denied health insurance is very high. Once properly diagnosed and following a strict gluten-free diet, patients can still have difficulty finding affordable health insurance. This must change.

As the umbrella organization for celiac disease in this country, the American Celiac Disease Alliance (ACDA) has been able to represent the needs and concerns of patients, researchers, and others, on the issue of health reform. We will continue to monitor the progress of H.R. 3962 and provide updates as they happen.“

Please visit their website for more information about this and many other topics that may be of interest to you: americanceliac.org.