Joe Sestak's comments about the federal health care bill in the news story " Failed Senate candidate Sestak wants to stay 'part of the dialogue' " (Jan. 17), made during his "thank you" tour, inspired me to research how that bill has affected my company.
I recently received my annual renewal terms and information from Independence Blue Cross on the effects of the new health care bill. Independence Blue Cross notes several new benefits: There are no lifetime restrictions on dollars to pay for your care if you are sick, your children can remain on your policy and be covered (if you pay for it) until they are age 26, some preventive care is 100 percent covered and children are not excluded from coverage even if they are sick.
My company's renewal cost went up about 10 percent, less than one-third of the 32 percent increase we saw two years ago, before the health care bill was passed. This health care bill is a step in the right direction, both practically and on ethical grounds.
Jeanette MacNeille
Millbourne
