--- title: "Health Care Reform Basics | Denver Psychiatry Blog" description: "As I am sure you all know the health care bill passed Sunday, March 21st, 2010. This is monumental in that health care reform has been an elusive target for our government for such a long time. 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For children and adolescents, this includes integrated meetings with parents. By the end of 1-2 visits, you'll have a clear clinical formulation and personalized treatment plan." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Denver Psychiatry treat both children and adults?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, Dr. Steve Sarche is board certified in both general psychiatry and child & adolescent psychiatry. Denver Psychiatry provides comprehensive care for patients ages 10 and older, with age-appropriate treatment approaches." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What mental health conditions does Denver Psychiatry treat?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Denver Psychiatry treats a wide range of mental health conditions including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, situational stress, behavioral problems, and relational difficulties. Dr. Sarche takes a comprehensive, holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Denver Psychiatry offer non-medication treatments?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Absolutely. While medication can be an important part of treatment, Dr. Sarche also emphasizes non-medication modalities including sleep hygiene strategies, lifestyle modifications, stress reduction techniques, and therapeutic approaches. Treatment is tailored to each individual's needs and preferences." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the difference between a D.O. and an M.D. psychiatrist?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) receive the same training as M.D.s but with additional focus on the interconnection between the body's systems. This holistic perspective informs Dr. Sarche's approach to mental health, considering how physical and emotional well-being influence each other." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I schedule an appointment with Denver Psychiatry?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You can schedule an appointment by calling Denver Psychiatry at (303) 393-8808. The staff will help you find a convenient time and answer any questions about your first visit." } } ] }, { "@type": "Blog", "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#blog", "name": "Denver Psychiatry Mental Health Blog", "description": "Expert insights and articles on mental health topics from Dr. Steve Sarche, board-certified psychiatrist in Denver, Colorado.", "url": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/blog", "author": { "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#physician" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#organization" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Health Care Reform Basics", "description": "As I am sure you all know the health care bill passed Sunday, March 21st, 2010. This is monumental in that health care reform has been an elusive target for our government for such a long time. One of...", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Steve Sarche", "jobTitle": "Board Certified Psychiatrist" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Denver Psychiatry", "url": "https://denverpsychiatry.com" }, "datePublished": "2010-04-19T15:11:54+00:00", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/article/health-care-reform-basics" } } ] --- [ Denver Psychiatry Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O. ](#home) [](tel:303-393-8808) [ Denver Psychiatry Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O. ](#home) [Home](#home) Services ### Conditions We Treat [ ADHD Treatment Child & adult ADHD specialist care ](/adhd)[ Anxiety Treatment Generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety ](/anxiety-treatment)[ Depression Treatment Major depression, bipolar, mood disorders ](/depression-treatment)[ PTSD & Trauma Treatment Trauma recovery focused on full healing ](/ptsd-trauma-treatment) ### Specialty Care [ Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship-trained, ages 10 and up ](/child-adolescent-psychiatry)[ Performance Optimization Precision psychiatry for high performers ](/performance-optimization)[ Medication Management Expert prescription and monitoring ](#services) #### Talk to Dr. Sarche Call to schedule your initial evaluation [Call Now](tel:303-393-8808) About ### About Us [ Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O. Board-certified psychiatrist ](#about)[ Our Approach Patient-centered, evidence-based care ](#approach)[ Osteopathic Medicine Holistic medical philosophy ](#resources) Resources ### Educational Resources [ General Information Learn about psychiatry and mental health ](#resources)[ Sleep & Wellness Tips for better sleep and health ](#resources)[ Nutrition & Mental Health Diet's impact on mood and cognition ](#resources) ### Patient Info [ Blog Articles Latest insights and updates ](#blog)[ FAQs Common questions answered ](#faq) #### New Patient? Learn what to expect at your first visit [Learn More](#services) Contact ### Get In Touch [ Contact Form Send us a message ](#contact)[ Call Us (303) 393-8808 ](tel:303-393-8808)[ Our Location 720 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 910N ](#contact) [Call Dr. Sarche](tel:303-393-8808) [Back to Blog](/blog) Child & Adolescent # Health Care Reform Basics Dr. Steve Sarche Board Certified Psychiatrist • Monday, April 19, 2010 • 6 min read Share: [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fhealth-care-reform-basics)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fhealth-care-reform-basics&text=Health%20Care%20Reform%20Basics)[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fhealth-care-reform-basics&title=Health%20Care%20Reform%20Basics)[]() As I am sure you all know the health care bill passed Sunday, March 21st, 2010. This is monumental in that health care reform has been an elusive target for our government for such a long time. One of the key factors in passing this bill is that Obama made clear that none of the government funds will be used for abortions. The bill is very complicated and I am going to try to clarify the high points. My figures come from CNN and The Wall Street Journal.  The bill costs $940 billion. The breakdown for that is as follows: $466 billion in tax credits to help those in lower income brackets afford insurance. $434 billion to expand the Medicaid program for impoverished individuals and families. $40 billion in tax credits to small businesses to offer coverage for their employees. Beginning in 2010, insurers will be banned from denying coverage to children with pre-existing illness. Children will additionally be able to stay on their parents’ insurance until their 26th birthday. Subsidies begin this year for small businesses to provide coverage for their employees. Seniors whose medications have not been covered by Medicare will get $250 credit this year and, over the years, more and more medications will be covered In 2011, a long term care program will be set up. Drug makers will face an annual fee of $2.5 billion, which will increase over the years. To help offset the expenses of the bill, starting in 2013 there will be an increased Medicare tax on individuals who make over $200,000 and couples that make over $250,000. This will be in the form of a 3.8% tax on unearned income such as investments, capitol gains, dividends and interest. Tax on wages will rise from 1.45% to 2.35%. For cost control, a Medicare pilot program will begin to bundle payments for care, focusing on quality rather than quantity of services. 2014 is the year that medical coverage of most Americans will be enforced. At this point, insurance companies will be barred from denying insurance to any individual with a pre-existing medical problem. Most people will be required to have insurance. Medicaid will expand to all Americans with income up to 133% of poverty level (which is about $22,000 for a family of four). Families of four that have an income of $88,000 or less would get subsidies from the government to afford insurance. The less the family earns, the more they would get. . Employers with more than 50 employees who get tax credits for insurance will be imposed a fine if they are not providing affordable coverage. Subsidies for small businesses to provide coverage for their employees will greatly increase. The insurance industry will be required to pay an annual fee of $8 billion that will increase in subsequent years. There will be a government ombudsman established to help clarify people’s insurance claims when there are problems. There will be better oversight of how Medicare money is spent through an Independent Medicare Board. There will be a fine for those individuals that do not carry coverage. By 2016, the fine will be 2.5% of taxable income or $695, whichever is greater. By 2018, insurers of existing policies will be required to cover preventive care and preventive care will be exempt from deductibles.  There is additionally a Senate bill that is yet to be passed that will further address how to raise more money to support Medicare and other subsidies for families in lower income brackets.  Estimates are that 95% of all Americans would have health insurance by 2014. This will be a significant improvement in coverage for Americans; CNN reports that at some point during 2007 and 2008 33% of Americans under the age of 65 were uninsured.  It seems the American public is divided about this plan and how it will affect people. Some are worried they will lose the coverage they have for “bundle” programs, some are angry about paying more taxes, and some are thrilled by the fact that America’s health care system will be more accessible to more people. In regards to how this will affect physicians, it is unclear. The AMA (American Medical Association) does support the bill. The main concern, however, is that physicians in general are already over-worked and there are shortages of physicians in many parts of the country. This certainly includes psychiatrists and especially child psychiatrists. To increase the amount of physicians, there will be some money going to subsidize medical school loans, but not much. There is an estimated 32 million Americans who are currently uninsured who will have medical insurance by 2014. From a psychiatry standpoint, this bill should help with parity laws focused on having insurance companies cover patients’ mental health problems on par with other health issues. That has been a problem for around three decades. Insurance companies carved mental health out of their plans and, despite more coverage in recent years, have made authorization for treatment and reimbursement very difficult. I am hopeful that by 2014 insurance coverage for psychiatric care will be reasonable enough that most private practice psychiatrists who had stopped will once again accept insurance.  Additionally, there will be more focus on coverage for early intervention and prevention programs.  This will especially benefit children in that there will be a ban on pre-existing condition exclusions.  There will be  a focus on helping expand the workforce for child mental health care by focus on increased funding for community mental health, loan repayment incentives for psychiatry residents who agree to work in undersevrved areas, and more focus on collaboration between psychiatrists and primary care physicians. At this point in time, many Republicans are angry over this plan and they are going to fight it, likely at a federal and state level. There are still many legal and political battles to be settled. Things may change before all of these laws come into effect.  There has not been anything in health care reform remotely this big since the 1960’s (the formation of Medicaid and Medicare). It is a both scary and exciting time for health care in the United States. Share: [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fhealth-care-reform-basics)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fhealth-care-reform-basics&text=Health%20Care%20Reform%20Basics)[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fhealth-care-reform-basics&title=Health%20Care%20Reform%20Basics)[]() ### Need Help With Your Mental Health? Dr. Steve Sarche provides compassionate psychiatric care for children, adolescents, and adults in the Denver area. [Call to Speak With Dr. Sarche](tel:303-393-8808) ### Get new articles from Dr. Sarche We'll only email you when Dr. Sarche publishes a new article. Unsubscribe anytime. Subscribe ## Related Articles [ Child & Adolescent ### The Communication Fix Up Communication Fix Up. This article is inspired by a talk given by Charles Duhigg, a journalist and best-selling author during the Aspen Ideas Festival on June 29th, 2024. The talk is titled, “Super co... Jul 23, 2024 5 min read ](/article/the-communication-fix-up)[ Child & Adolescent ### Recognizing Depression in Teenagers: A Guide for Parents Teen depression often looks different from adult depression. Know the warning signs and how to help. May 20, 2024 1 min read ](/article/teen-depression-warning-signs)[ Child & Adolescent ### My Session With Santa (part 2) (This is a recycling of an article I posted over 11 years ago. It is mostly the same, just some minor changes. I figured it would be nice to post something light). “I stopped believing in Santa Claus ... Dec 18, 2020 5 min read ](/article/my-session-with-santa-part-2) ### Denver Psychiatry Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O. Providing compassionate, comprehensive psychiatric care to children, adolescents, and adults in the Denver area since 2004. [(303) 393-8808](tel:303-393-8808)[Patient Portal](https://www.valant.io/portal/sarche) #### Quick Links - [Home](#home) - [Services](#services) - [About Dr. Sarche](#about) - [Our Approach](#approach) - [Resources](#resources) - [Blog](#blog) - [Contact Us](#contact) #### Contact - The Galleria 720 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 910N Denver, CO 80246 - [(303) 393-8808](tel:303-393-8808) - Fax: (303) 399-6069 © 2026 Denver Psychiatry. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy)[HIPAA Notice](/hipaa-notice)[Accessibility](/accessibility) [Made with by HEARD Digital Marketing](https://heardmarketing.io)