Loebsack has patient protection in mind

As Rep. Dave Loebsack's opponent would like to work toward limiting patient protections and rights, I am proud that Loebsack stands behind his vote to ensure better care and services for all Iowans, including the young and the old. On Sept. 23, the Patient Bill of Rights took effect, unprecedented patient benefits that go a long way to ensure that insurance companies are working to best serve their clients and not their CEO.

The Patient Bill of Rights law guarantees that individuals with health concerns and catastrophic illnesses like diabetes, cancer, heart disease and stroke will no longer have to live in fear of being kicked off their insurance because of annual and lifetime caps. Children are now permitted to stay on their parents' insurance until they turn 26 and children born with or develop lifelong pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied from their parents plans.

Patients can see their choice of physician or pediatrician without a referral and individuals requiring emergency care obtained outside of their plan's network cannot be charged higher cost-sharing fees.

Possibly most important, insurance providers can no longer be both the jury and the judge when a patient is denied care.

As a nurse, I know these are real patient protections that no one should ever be denied, and it's also why I'm proud to vote for Loebsack on Nov. 2.

Mary Jo Meggers

Solon