How 'Obamacare' Will Affect You

Amid the confusion caused by the faulty "Obamacare" website, there is also uncertainty on what the new health care law does for Americans.

The Northville Democratic Club, the largest democratic club in Michigan, organized a town hall Thursday evening to explain the health care law, formally called the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act."

It aims to provide affordable care to more people. One group it plans to serve are those with pre-existing medical conditions.

"Insurance companies can no longer turn you down," said guest speaker Barbara Spreitzer-Berent, volunteer state coordinator for Health and Supportive Services at AARP Michigan, to a full room at Hillside Middle School.

She told the group about a 30-year-old woman who could not get health insurance in the private sector because of her juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

>>Hear what Spreitzer-Berent said about the woman in the video above.

The woman had a job with great health insurance but dreamed of owning her own business, Spreitzer-Berent said. However, private health insurance providers would not cover her pre-existing condition, which affected her entire body.

"But under the new law, she may be able to realize her dream," she said.

Through Affordable Care Act coverage, people with pre-existing conditions can't be turned down, charged more, or refused treatment. This is a significant change in the way health insurance functions, she said. 

Spreitzer-Berent also explained that the new health care law:

• requires everyone to have health insurance
• continues and enhances Medicare coverage
• encourages states to expand Medicaid
• lowers out-of-pocket drug costs
• covers more preventive services
• cracks down on abuse like fraudulent providers
• creates health insurance "marketplaces"
• helps those with moderate incomes
• extends coverage to young adults
• offers more options for small business owners

What about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act confuses you? Post a comment below.