The Affordable Care ActIn to 2014!

1

It is now illegal for health insurance Companies to DENY COVERAGE to anyone with pre-existing conditions like

cancer and diabetes!

We’ve made it! And we must never go back!

Freedom:

• Every American now has the freedom to control their own medical decisions without interference from insurance companies. Insurance companies can now longer decide issues are “preexisting”, or put additional barriers between you and your doctor

Access to Health Care is anAmerican Value

Access to Health Care is anAmerican Value

Opportunity:

• Every American now has opportunity to change jobs or start a small business without losing health coverage. Small businesses can access new options and prospective entreprenuers can leave their job and/or start a business and still be able to get affordable health coverage!

Access to Health Care is anAmerican Value

Responsibility:

• Now we must make sure that everyone take responsibility for getting health care coverage for themselves and their families as long as it is made affordable and accessible.

• We now also have the responsibility to improve upon the law to improve access and reduce costs long term

Quick Reminder of the Benefits

The Affordable Care Act holds insurance industry responsible for:

• Preventive care coverage & screenings with no co-pays or deductibles

• Young adults can stay on parents private insurance policies until age 26

• Accept everyone, regardless of preexisting condition, gender etc

• Playing fairly – no more “got-ya’s”, excessive insurance industry profits

Competitive Health Marketplace:

Healthcare.gov

• You choose your own private insurance on a website, like Travelocity or Expedia etc.

• Consumers in control, with clear information and real competition.

• Members of Congress offered same choices we

have.

• Open to all Americans who don’t have affordable health coverage options now or in the future.

Competitive Health Marketplace:

Healthcare.gov

• Coverage more secure: bans denials of coverage due to preexisting conditions or dropping coverage when someone get sick.

• Coverage more affordable: premium tax credits on a sliding scale.

• New options, such as nonprofit member owned cooperatives.

• No discriminatory pricing based on medical condition, age, and gender.

Dates to Know

• March 31st is the end of open enrollment. But there are ways you can still go after open enrollment is over

• April 1st is the first day 77,000 people kicked off of BadgerCare can go to Healthcare.gov to purchase private plans. They have until May 30th to do so.

• November 15th is the start of the next open enrollment

Where Can I Go?

You can get coverage in a number of ways.

• Online: Healthcare.gov

• 24/7 Hotline 1-800-318-2596

• Public Libraries

• Many nonprofits will become “navigators”, entities whose role is to find you coverage.

• Local institutions: hospitals, health centers, etc

• Brokers/agents

• Our call center – 855 848 9587

BadgerCare for low income Wisconsinites

• The Affordable Care Act gives billions in federal dollars to WI to fill in the holes in BadgerCare.

• Governor Walker rejected the federal funds, which the Legislature agreed to in the budget.

• Walker’s approach costs Wisconsin $149 million more in the current state budget and forces 77,000 off BadgerCare

• On top of that, the Legislature delayed the adding 83,000 until April 1st in order to hold off kicking the 77,000 off until March 31st

• The good news is that Wisconsin can take the enhanced BadgerCare money at any time.

• This will happen, the only question is how long people have to go without health coverage.

• Many organizations are speaking out on this,

• Rejection is very unpopular, only 36.5% agreed with Gov in Oct MU Poll

10 Million!

• 2.1 million new through Marketplaces

• 4.3 million new through Medicaid (not updated)

• 3.1 million new through parent coverage

• ~500,000 direct enrolled through insurer

• = ~10 million, could be 13 million with new Medicaid numbers

Questions?

• Kevin KaneHealthcare OrganizerCitizen Action of Wisconsin414 550 8280 (cell)kevin.kane@citizenactionwi.org

facebook.com/got.healthcareGotHealthcareWI.com

More info:Healthcare.govKaiser Family Foundation – www.kff.org