The question of US action in Syria is at the top of the headlines — but while pundits and politicians debate, the Department of Health and Human Services is busy gearing up for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as “Obamacare.”
The Health Insurance Marketplace — aka “the Exchanges” — will open on October 1 (less than one month!), allowing ordinary Americans to shop and compare prices on insurance plans, as they’ve never been able to do before.
This is a big change for Americans, and may be a little daunting — especially after four years of right wing propaganda decrying Obamacare as a “government takeover of healthcare.” But the parts of the law that have already been implemented, such as allowing young adults to remain on their parents’ plans to age 26, free preventive services like mammograms and coverage for birth control have been mostly seen as positives.
And as the state exchanges come online, we have been hearing good news on cost and implementation. We have every reason to believe that this law will make our people healthier — and happier, knowing that the thread of an accident or catastrophic illness will no longer result in bankrupting their families.
This week’s MOMocrats MOMochat podcast featured artist and healthcare advocate Spike Dolomite Ward and public policy professional Melissa Schober, who joined Cynematic, Karoli and Donna Schwartz Mills in this discussion of the law and what it means to you.
Links to resources we mentioned on the podcast are below:
Ready to shop for your #Obamacare plan? Start here.
Here are links to the Kaiser Foundation documents discussed on the podcast:
- State Activity Around Expanding Medicaid Under the Affordable Care Act
- FAQ on Individual Insurance Mandate
- Health Plan Subsidy-Calculator
We also talked about the Patient Bill Of Rights and what you’re due from health care providers.
And for you political wonks: here’s the book our podcast guest Spike Dolomite Ward mentioned on the story behind the passage of the ACA.
Obamacare In the News
Shame on GOP lawmakers who try to prevent their constituents from getting health care coverage they’re eligible for.
The truth is, the only “rate shock” you may have is a pleasant surprise at how your insurance costs could be much lower under Obamacare. See for yourself.
The Affordable Care Act also provides funding to community health clinics so drop-in non-emergency care is easy, especially in “doctor deserts”/underserved communities and in rural communities. Obamacare is also bringing jobs, and better health care coverage, to red states — whether they want them or not. Here’s an example from Missouri.
