Janice Schakowsky: “I think it's really important at this point to just mention some of the things that do happen as soon as the bill…”

“I think it's really important at this point to just mention some of the things that do happen as soon as the bill passes. A lot of people, one of the things that the Republicans have been saying about this legislation is that, Well, you have to wait until the bill takes effect for another 4 years. Well, that's true that a number of the elements of the full rollout of the bill take 4 years, but a number of things happen right away, and among those is the beginning to close the gap in coverage, or the doughnut hole. A lot of seniors out there are worried about their grandchildren. This legislation, on the day that it's enacted, says that children with preexisting conditions will not be excluded from health care. Imagine if you have a grandchild with asthma or a grandchild with autism and suddenly they're trying to get health insurance for the family. This child will be covered. Imagine the relief it will take off of the parents and the grandparents' shoulders if we're able to do that. Lifetime caps. Many people have chronic illness and right away they find that they have reached the limit of how much their insurance company is going to pay.”