The Five Keys to Health Reform's Success or Failure

Will it work? And how will it work? A guide to what the new law will mean for costs, Medicare, doctors, the states — and you

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People with a Pre-Existing Condition

healthcare pre existing condition

Image Source / Corbis

The Upside: If you plan to buy your own coverage, you will be able to get it from any insurer selling in your area, and you will pay the same as anyone else in your age group. Insurers won't be able to place annual or lifetime limits on your coverage, and regulations will limit your out-of-pocket spending.

36 percent of Americans were turned down or charged higher premiums because of pre-existing conditions in 2007

See "The Year in Health 2009: From A to Z."

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