Around 1997-1998 I was introduced to the internet; prior to that, I considered the internet to be some white people stuff (note: at the time, I didn’t use the term stuff). Once I’d been exposed, I became evangelistic about letting everyone I knew that they had to get online or get left behind.
Roughly around the same time I participated in a jobs program teaching “soft skills” to primarily young men as a prerequisite to career training geared towards entering into the construction industry. One day, while discussing the need for insurance, they replied that insurance was not for them. Kinda like me and the internet, stubborn ignorance of the facts leading to lack of access to a better quality of life.
In a couple of weeks, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will begin enrollment, and this, my friends, is where I begin my evangelism. The ACA is the government’s first attempt to make access to health care affordable to all Americans. The ACA already:
- allows parents to keep their children insured until the age of 26, even if
- they are married,
- in school,
- not living with or are financially dependent on their parents,
- or even eligible to enroll under their employer’s plan.
- It also does not allow insurance companies from rejecting people with pre-existing conditions,
- Nor can they drop you due to illness,
- and even refunds money if they spend less than 80% (individual coverage) or 85% (group coverage) of the premiums on medical services.
The benefits are HUGE!!! Especially when one considers that the number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States is inability to pay for health care (http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/health/2013/06/19/nerdwallet-health-study-estimates-56-million-americans-65-struggle-medical-bills-2013/).
A few years ago, my wife and I, while taking a financial literacy course, were surprised at the emphasis the course placed on obtaining insurance as part of our financial literacy plan. Why was it so highlighted? Because life happens, and when it negatively impacts your health, all the work you’ve done to establish yourself financially can be suddenly wiped out. And that’s just for “middle-class” folks!
For low- and moderate-income families, the likelihood of hospital or medical bills wiping out dreams and future plans is all but a foregone conclusion. Don’t believe me? According to the Law Dictionary (http://thelawdictionary.org/article/how-much-money-does-it-cost-to-fix-a-broken-arm-without-health-insurance/#ixzz2g71ViOYR), “If you’re suffering from a simple fracture to one of the bones in your forearm or wrist, your total costs will probably range between $2,500 and $3,500.” Think about that for a minute; a simple fracture, not even a fully broken bone.
Furthermore, because the cost of regular doctor visits and preventive care are financially prohibitive to folks of meager income, the inability to access health insurance among this population puts a drain on our emergency room, health care for these populations, becomes “not for them.” Insurance is a necessity for those wishing to establish some financial stability.
The open enrollment period for the ACA grants the opportunity for millions of people, formerly denied access, whether due to pre-existing condition or financial inability, to access affordable health insurance. But open enrollment is not forever. It starts October 1, 2013 and ends March 31 2014. After that, the normal enrollment period will be from October 1 through December 7 each year.
It is extremely important that you urge everyone you know to get enrolled, as each year that passes the likelihood of folks who missed the initial period to enroll will decrease. The ACA provides access to a safety net against financial ruin due to negative health impacts – illness, accident, etc. Starting October 1, 2013, friends should not let friends go uninsured, simply because of the mistaken belief that “it’s not for them” or that it’s “white people stuff.”
For gulf coast organizations in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, join Alliance Institute for “The Affordable Care Act and Access to Health Care Along the Gulf Coast: A Symposium” on November 15, 2013 in New Orleans. Click here for more information.