How to Read H.R.3590

You are not alone if you feel overwhelmed reading the new 906-page law reforming your health care. When you learn the overall structure, the document does not seem as long and further helps you focus on the information that you are most interested to find. H.R.3590, entitled "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" signed into law on March 23, 2010 begins with a header.

In the header, you will find the House Bill Number (H.R.3590), the version of Congress (One Hundred Eleventh Congress of the United States of America), the session of Congress (Second Session), where Congress was held (at the City of Washington), the alleged date when the bill was last modified before it enacted (January 5, 2010), the type (an Act), the title (The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), and the declaration of enactment by the House of Representatives and Senate (otherwise known as Congress). After the header, it begins an outline format.

The outline begins with Section 1. Section 1 is the only "Section" at this level of the outline. There are four letters: "[a]", "[b]", "[c]", and "[d]" under Section 1.

"[a]" provides that the title of the Act, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Act", can be shortened to be called "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act".

"[b]" makes up about 99% of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act if downloaded and viewed as a .pdf, or portable document file. "[b]" first defines the Table of Contents. Then, it is followed by the actual legal text, which is organized in the same format as the Table of Contents with Titles, Subtitles, Secs., Parts, and Sub-Parts. By reading the Table of Contents first, you can gain a better understanding of the how to find what you are looking for regarding your particular health care situation without having to read the Act in its entirety.

"[c]" is called "Application and Extension of EGTRRA Sunset" EGTRRA stands for Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001. "[c]" amends section 901[a][1] of the EGTRRA that reverts all amendments and provisions made to the EGTRRA after June 7, 2001 to its original form by December 31, 2010 instead of December 31, 2011. The following Titles are found within the EGTRRA.

• Title I - Individual Income Tax Rate Reductions
• Title II - Tax Benefits Relating to Children
• Title III - Marriage Penalty Relief
• Title IV - Affordable Education Provisions, Estate
• Title V - Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Provisions
• Title VI - Pension and Individual Retirement Arrangement Provisions
• Title VII - Alternative Minimum Tax
• Title VIII - Other Provisions
• Title IX - Compliance with Congressional Budget Act

"[d]" is titled "Effective Date" and found on the last page. It states that the amendments in Section 1 will take effect on January 1, 2010.

After "[d]", there is a footer. The footer appears to be where the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Rep. Nancy Pelosi [CA-8]) and the Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate (Vice President Joe Biden) both signed in agreement on behalf of each side of Congress.

In conclusion, the new health care reform was signed into public law on March 23, 2010 by President Barack Obama. While long, learning the structure of this Act will help you begin to understand the changes in law that affect you, your health insurance coverage, and the overall health care industry.