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\u2019t use the term stuff). Once I\u2019d been exposed, I became evangelistic about letting everyone I knew that they had to get online or get left behind.<\/p>\n
Roughly around the same time I participated in a jobs program teaching \u201csoft skills\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
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In a couple of weeks, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will begin enrollment, and this, my friends, is where I begin my evangelism. The\u00a0 ACA is the government\u2019s first attempt to make access to health care affordable to all Americans. The ACA already:<\/p>\n
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>).<\/p>\n 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\u2019ve done to establish yourself financially can be suddenly wiped out. And that\u2019s just for \u201cmiddle-class\u201d folks!<\/p>\n 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\u2019t 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<\/a>), \u201cIf 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.\u201d Think about that for a minute; a simple fracture, not even a fully broken bone.<\/p>\n 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 \u201cnot for them.\u201d Insurance is a necessity for those wishing to establish some financial stability.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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 \u2013 illness, accident, etc. Starting October 1, 2013, friends should not let friends go uninsured, simply because of the mistaken belief that \u201cit\u2019s not for them\u201d or that it\u2019s \u201cwhite people stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n