First lady Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will be speaking this afternoon at The George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., to make an announcement regarding the preventive healthcare coverage made available under the Affordable Care Act that was signed into law in March.The three officials will address the benefits of preventative healthcare coverage to a group of doctors, nurses, families and members from the health community, according to a White House press release.
The release stated, “Chronic and often preventable diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, are responsible for seven of 10 deaths among Americans each year and account for 75 percent of the nation’s health spending.”
It continued: “In addition, obese individuals have healthcare costs 39 percent above average. High-quality preventive care helps Americans stay healthy, avoid or delay the onset of disease, lead productive lives and help reduce costs. Under the Affordable Care Act, new insurance plans are required to provide preventive care without cost-sharing, which will remove financial barriers for many Americans to preventive services such as mammograms, colonoscopies and immunizations, help prevent disease and reduce costs.”
Their announcement will include early guidance regarding the preventative healthcare coverage and will outline new measures.
