Health Reform: Seven Things You Need to Know Now

Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled to uphold the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, many Americans are wondering how health reform will affect them once it is fully implemented in January 2014. Typical questions include: If I get my health insurance through my employer or through Medicare, what, if anything, will change? If I don’t have health insurance— or lose mine—how will I be able to find a policy I can afford? And, who is affected by the requirement (known as the “mandate”) that everyone sign up for health insurance?