Weekly Address: Affordable Care Act is Making a Difference for Millions of Americans
Source: White House
In this weeks address, the President discussed the progress weve made because of the Affordable Care Act. As the laws coverage provisions have taken effect, 17.6 million Americans have gained coverage, and the nations uninsured rate now stands at its lowest level ever. The deadline to sign up for 2016 health coverage on the Marketplace is quickly approaching on January 31, and the President encouraged even more Americans to join the more than 11 million people who have already signed up so far this year and who are enjoying the financial security and peace of mind that comes with knowing you have affordable, portable health coverage.
Read more: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/01/23/weekly-address-affordable-care-act-making-difference-millions-americans
(snip)
If you havent looked at your new coverage options, youve still got time to get covered on the Health Insurance Marketplace for 2016. You have until January 31 next Sunday to enroll. Just go to HealthCare.gov, CuidadoDeSalud.gov, or call 1-800-318-2596. Most folks buying a plan on the Marketplace can find an option that costs less than $75 a month. Even if you already have insurance, take a few minutes to shop around. In fact, consumers who switched to a new plan for 2016 ended up saving an average of more than $500.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/01/23/weekly-address-affordable-care-act-making-difference-millions-americans
BumRushDaShow
(129,453 posts)We're in the middle of a blizzard so they preempted the regular broadcast of this today.
cal04
(41,505 posts)We are too. Stay safe and warm
Android3.14
(5,402 posts)I have healthcare with Mrs. 'Droids plan from the university. We make enough money (barely) that we can afford medications we need, so this question isn;t about me.
I buy a coffee once a week at a local convenience store. A clerk who has been working at this Circle K for years told me how she needs medication to control her blood pressure, but cannot afford the doctor visits, lab tests and medication because she cannot pay the $650 deductible. Even with the ACA, she cannot afford to pay enough to cross the threshold for care.
What angers her is that she cannot afford to use the insurance that the government forces her to buy.
passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)And ACA has helped to save lives. For those who can afford it.
But for those who can't, it's only a catastrophic plan...it only covers them in a dire emergency, because like your clerk friend, they can't come up with the deductibles.
I know Obama is aware of this, and if he were staying in office longer, he'd probably be trying to do something about bringing costs down; but he needs to get on board with single payer, as that is truly the only way to bring down the runaway costs of for-profit health care. And I know he knows this. He's too smart not to.
I love Obama dearly, and I know he never had a chance of passing single payer or public option...but damn I wish he'd stand up and start fighting for single payer now.
99th_Monkey
(19,326 posts)Not to take away from those who now DO get some kind of coverage who didn't have it before.
And yes it's true there were other great benefits, like no more "pre-existing conditions" used to
disqualify applicants for healthcare insurance.
But ACA still represents a pretty sweet-deal for the insurance companies and allows price-gouging
by big pharma, which are bitter pills for those who simply still can't afford any of this, i.e. the very
poor, who's numbers seem to be growing btw.
passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)ACA still represents a pretty sweet-deal for the insurance companies and allows price-gouging
big pharma
99th_Monkey
(19,326 posts)Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)are debating whether we have to keep the profiteers in the system. Sort of a stealth Clinton campaign ad.