Groups Launch New "Healthcare and You" Website to Explain Healthcare Reform Laws

A coalition of healthcare and advocacy groups launched a new Website called “Healthcare and You” last week to help American consumers navigate the ins and outs of the Affordable Care Act. The Website, www.healthcareandyou.org, was developed with input from the American Association for Retired Persons, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American College of Physicians, the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association, the Catholic Health Association, and the National Community Pharmacists Association. “By teaming up with our colleagues in the coalition, we offer a valuable resource that doctors can share with patients,” said Roland Goertz, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

 

The Website supplies information on various aspects of the healthcare reform law specific to individuals, families, and small business owners. According to the site’s creators, every effort was made to avoid the political debate surrounding the new law and instead to focus on presenting the facts—in a simple, organized fashion. The site does attempt to dispel common myths and confusion about the law, with the goal of helping healthcare consumers make informed medical decisions. The coalition behind the site also hopes that www.healthcareandyou.org will serve as a useful tool for healthcare providers faced with questions about the law from their patients.

 

 Visitors to www.healthcareandyou.org will be able to learn about how the law is being implemented in their state. They can also access an interactive timeline that explains when each of the law’s provisions takes effect. A glossary on the site defines some of the terms users might come across while navigating the site. People are invited to submit an e-mail address to receive the latest news on the nation’s healthcare laws.

 

Christopher W. Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network, said he expects patients with cancer to benefit greatly from this new online resource. He described it as “an essential tool that will inform families struggling with cancer about new coverage options, patient protections, and no-cost preventative services such as mammograms and colonoscopies.”

Future plans for the Website include adding a chat feature that allows visitors to ask questions and get feedback from experts.