Confused? Health care answers available

Major changes in U.S. health care policy are moving forward, in spite of the federal government shutdown this week.

Publicly run insurance “marketplaces” – newly established state and federal health care insurance exchanges – are open for shopping through Mar. 31, even though most Americans are required to be insured by Jan. 1, or face penalties.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Mt. Hood political science instructor Janet Campbell will host two informative forums on the sweeping healthcare reforms. All are welcome to attend.

Campbell supplied The Advocate relevant Q&A material regarding the changes:

 Who will be required to purchase individual insurance? 

“Minimal essential coverage” must be purchased by most legal residents and U.S. citizens, and their dependents. Excluded groups include certain religious groups, illegal immigrants, people in prison and American Indians.

 

How to get insurance:

Insurance can be purchased through employers or through the state or  federal marketplaces.

Oregon’s health care website is coveroregon.com and the federal website is HealthCare.gov. In Washington state, go to wahealthplanfinder.org.

“I’d wait a couple weeks before going on there and figuring out what to do, because it’s going to be packed for a while,” Campbell said of the websites.

 

What happens if insurance is not purchased?

Federal tax penalties will start being issued in 2014. This fee starts at $95 but is scheduled to grow to $695 per uninsured family member, up to a maximum $2,085 per family, within two years. The 2014 fee for uninsured children will be $47.50.

 

Paying for insurance:

Individuals who earn less than four times the federal poverty level (or, about $44,000 per year), are self-employed, or are employed by businesses that do not offer health care would be eligible for financial aid. The size of the subsidies would depend on income levels.

 

What is a marketplace?

Also known as “exchanges,” these are marketplaces where individuals can purchase insurance. Each state will be given start-up money to open its own exchange by 2014 (most have opened this week). The exchanges will offer individuals insurance plans. These marketplaces are supposed to create a more competitive environment and therefore lower rates.

Insurance would still be available outside of the marketplace.

 

What is the cost of a health care reform?

Over the first ten years, the Congressional Budget Office expects the reform to cost around $940 billion.

*Source: The Christian Science Monitor, abridged/supplied by Janet Campbell.