A meeting on the new federal healthcare law turned tense when residents began asking questions about how ObamaCare will benefit them.
The Health Insurance Marketplace, which is called an “exchange” in the ACA but commonly referred to as a marketplace, is an online “mega mall” where U.S. citizens can compare and purchase health care policies which comply with the ACA. Brett Williams from Michigan Consumers for Healthcare told Hillsdale residents Thursday that it should be understood as an “avenue of competitive marketing between insurance companies” and not a “form of national healthcare.”
More than 80 Hillsdale residents attended a Nov. 7 town hall at Perennial Park Senior Center in Hillsdale to better understand the ACA and Health Insurance Marketplace. Williams explained the history of the healthcare debate, how ObamaCare affects specifically Michigan residents, and where Michiganders can find resources for understanding the changes in their insurance policies.
After the presentation, a few residents said that while they appreciated the new information, they still didn’t fully understand the purpose of the ACA and Health Insurance Marketplace.
“We’re all frustrated,” Hillsdale resident Laurie Stewart said. “I feel like the ad for the event was kind of deceiving, because I still don’t understand what’s going on. There’s a lot of smoke surrounding the whole thing.”
Many other residents expressed similar doubts to those of Stewart during Williams’ presentation, asking questions like why women over the age of 50 are now required to purchase insurance policies that include maternity care.
Williams answered that maternity care is one of the 10 essential benefits that every insurance policy starting in 2014 must cover. He added that customers can choose the amount of coverage they want by deciding between bronze, silver, gold, or platinum policies on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Williams’ presentation also covered the history of healthcare and the purpose of reforming it. He said that reform is necessary because healthcare costs could reach 30 percent of the gross domestic product within the next decade if the country does nothing.
“We’re not going to talk politics, because I’m just the mailman,” Williams said to begin the presentation. “Check that at the door, because this is law.”
Williams said regardless of one’s political affiliation, healthcare reform is beneficial for families and small businesses because it keeps rates competitive, ensures people will no longer be turned down for coverage, and regulates the amount of money companies can use for administrative and marketing costs.
“The Affordable Care Act wants to prevent care before it happens. That’s why government healthcare is important,” Williams said. “It’s a proactive approach.”
Williams also attempted to dispel common myths about ObamaCare.
“Who’s heard that the ACA is more than 2,000 pages long?” Williams asked. “That’s a myth. It’s only 960. It’s a great read. And when compared to Harry Potter, it’s really not that long.”
He also said Congress has not excluded themselves from the ACA, stating that they actually have more stringent guidelines. Williams admitted that despite its many benefits, there are still “tough politics” involved in implementing the ACA.
“I’m not going to lie to anyone,” Williams said. “There are taxes involved.”
He said taxes will increase for those in the higher income brackets as well as for companies who produce goods to sell to hospitals, and tanning salons.
Williams also addressed the shortcomings of the HeathCare.gov website saying that, while the government trouble shoots the site, people can still enroll over the phone or using paper forms.
In an interview after the presentation, Williams said he hoped that everyone took away a full understanding of the law and how it will affect them and their families.
“There are issues when they don’t know that the law isn’t the same as how it’s portrayed in the media,” Williams said.
He added that many small businesses he has presented to have been very positive about the law. Some residents still seemed doubtful of the ACA’s benefits though.
“I just got the notification that the policy I’ve had for 14 years is canceled, and I have to change before Dec. 1,” Hillsdale resident Mary Houtz said. “With ObamaCare, the price of my insurance jumped from $350 to $1,400 a month, and now I have to add all this stuff I don’t need. This is ridiculous. I just need something to cover my husband and I.”
Stewart agreed. “Is it going to be worth it in the long run? I don’t know.”
