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Locals Insured Affordable Care Act

Inland Valley News on March 14, 2013
By Noel Austin

Note: This article is the last of a two-part series. The first article was “Families Participate in Health Care Enrollment and Financial Resource Fair.”

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Aurora Garcia and Tamika Butler from Young Invincibles (photo by California Endowment)

Riverside, CA – “It has been difficult not having health care coverage. I didn’t know much about the Affordable Care Act, but I just found out that I am eligible for health care. I’m excited! At least now, I won’t be scared to get sick or go to the doctor. There are a lot of people, in the same situation, who could benefit from this program,” said a 26-year-old single woman with no children.

“We just found out that our kids aren’t going to be on their father’s insurance. I did research and discovered that I can sign them up for Healthy Families,” said a single mother of two.

“I knew that I qualified for CalFresh, but after coming here, I learned about the Medically Indigent Services Program (MISP). I didn’t even know that I could be qualified for that,” said a single 41-year-old man.

“I lost my job, and now I don’t have insurance. I got sick and my wife got sick. We couldn’t afford medical assistance or medicine. I signed up for ObamaCare. Now that I have insurance I feel relieved. It is a lot of pressure if you don’t have health insurance. Where are you going to turn?” said a father of two.

Although these quotes came from real participants of the WE Connect Health Care Enrollment and Resource Fair, not knowing where to turn for health care is a prevalent problem throughout California. Are you the face behind these voices?

Last week, we introduced the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as ObamaCare. The ACA accommodates many Californians with effective and affordable health coverage. It provides consumer protections, new coverage options and tools imperative to making the best decision for your wellness.

Some key features of the ACA are already being implemented. These features include, but are not limited to: new coverage options for young adults, more affordable prescription drugs for seniors, preventive services with no deductible or co-pay, and a restriction that bans companies from establishing lifetime dollar limits on health benefits.
Starting in 2014, if an employer does not offer insurance, many Californians will be able to buy coverage directly from the Health Insurance Marketplace. This will help individuals and small businesses better afford qualified health benefit plans.

Tax credits for eligible families will also be a new feature of the ACA in 2014. These credits are designed to help middle class families, who couldn’t previously afford health insurance, find affordable coverage.

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Ryan Alverson Training Volunteers for Web Connector

If you or someone you know is seeking health care assistance, there is an ample amount of information available. For low or no cost health coverage, call or visit Healthy Families (880-880-5305) or California Kids (818-755-9700) online. For information on medical services available for adults and children with restricted income, visit Medi-Cal (916-445-4171). To see if you qualify for the MISP program, which covers acute illnesses and medical care, check out the California Healthcare Foundation.

For additional information on the ACA and other money saving programs you and your family may qualify for, go to the WE Connect and Healthcare.gov websites. Let’s help our community get informed and get insured.