Healthcare reform has created confusion for some people. It may not be the new laws, however, that are completely behind this lack of understanding. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says health insurance companies are contributing to the dissemination of false facts.

Sebelius recently wrote a letter to America's Health Insurance Plans asking for their members to stop spreading false information. The secretary asserts that several insurers have said wrongfully blamed higher health insurance quotes and premium increases on the Affordable Care Act.

In her letter to AHIP, Sebelius wrote, "by making sure insurance covers people who are most at risk, there will be less uncompensated care, and, as a result, the amount of cost shifting to those who have coverage today will be reduced by up to $1 billion in 2013."

Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurers will be required to provide preventative services without additional costs and will be barred from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. These are just a couple of provisions that insurers have historically not covered on their own.

Hospitals in urban areas frequently garner a lot of attention as they are typically viewed as the main facilities that treat low-income patients. However, hospitals in rural areas need help too.

The. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that $20 million in funds will be distributed to hospitals in 41 states. The funds are aimed to help rural hospitals transition to electronic health records.

"The benefits of health information technology can be especially important for patients and clinicians in small and rural health care facilities, yet these facilities face high hurdles as they look toward joining in the transition to electronic information," said Sebelius.

The government has been spearheading efforts for the healthcare industry to switch over to electronic health records. It's believed that patients will receive better care under this system through improved accuracy and clarity of records. However, doctors and other healthcare professionals have been slow to embrace the technology.

Hospitals don't have a lot of time to switch over to electronic health records. Fees will be imposed on hospitals that aren't in compliance by 2015.