Working as a nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, I’ve seen firsthand the difficulties that individuals face as they navigate our health care system.
I have spoken to folks who are worried about losing their health coverage – or have friends and family who don’t have any insurance at all. I’ve treated patients who go without coverage because of the high cost.
We’ve got a real opportunity to change our health care system into one that is cost-effective, promotes public health and offers real security to families in Washington.
Whether you’re a recent college graduate looking for work or a family worried about losing coverage or a small business feeling the effects of the recession— you stand to benefit from Washington state’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
For that young adult looking for work during these tough economic times, the ACA means that you can stay on your parents’ plan until you find a job or reach the age of 26 – whichever comes first.
But, say the work you find is at a small start-up company that doesn’t offer health insurance. What’s a person – young, old or in-between – to do?
Starting in 2014, all Washingtonians will be able to utilize the health benefits exchange to shop for insurance. While shopping for coverage, you will have access to a web-based system and professional advisors trained to help you select the plan that is right for you.
Still can’t afford coverage? If you’re an individual making less than $15,000/year, you may be eligible for basic health care coverage through the federal Medicaid Expansion.
The Medicaid Expansion will allow us to insure 385,000 Washingtonians and saves about $200 million over the next two years. The caveat being that the legislature has to accept the federal dollars to do this.
We can’t pass up an opportunity to bring our tax dollars back to Washington. If we don’t use the money, other states will. Let’s put these dollars to work in Washington hospitals and clinics.
For all Americans – sick or healthy – health care reform also offers real security for the very first time.
We’ve all heard the horror stories of a friend or neighbor who did everything right – worked hard and saved up – only to get sick and lose their health insurance coverage. These folks will lose their home or lifetime’s worth of savings for to pay for their care.
This should never happen in our state or our country. When people get sick they’ve got one job – to get better.
The ACA stipulates that no one can be denied health care coverage and removes any caps on lifetime benefits that may have been in place – common sense safeguards that will prevent a Washingtonian from losing everything when they get sick.
And this coverage will be meaningful. The ACA requires that all health plans cover essential health benefits. These essential benefits include maternity care, mental health treatment, prescriptions and pediatric care.
Additionally, our health care system finally incentivizes preventative care by doing away with out-of-pocket costs for preventative care. Treating folks before their condition worsens isn’t only the right thing to do, it saves us money.
Coverage when you’re sick. Essential benefits. Preventative care.
All victories for Washingtonians.
One of the major knocks on the ACA is what it will mean for our economy and business in our state. The truth is that health care reform and the Medicaid Expansion stand to be a major driving force to push us out of the economic recession.
Contrary to what you might have heard, the ACA does not require small businesses to purchase health insurance.
However, if they choose to, they are eligible for a tax rebate of up to 50 percent in 2014. Small businesses will also be able to utilize the health benefits exchange to purchase insurance beginning in 2014.
On a more macro level, the public investment means that all sectors of our health care system will need to grow. This kicks off a chain reaction through allied industries and creates thousands of jobs – both directly and indirectly.
You don’t have to be an economist to figure out how all of this growth is good for our economy. In fact, the ACA and Medicaid Expansion are estimated to create $2 billion in economic activity in Washington alone.
It’s clear that Washington state is uniquely positioned to benefit from health care reform and Medicaid Expansion. However, all too often misinformation and fear clouds the conversation.
Folks need to know what the ACA really means – so I am asking you to share this information with your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues. Talk to them about the improvements to our health care system. Explain what the Medicaid Expansion would mean for working people and our economy.
For health care reform to truly be meaningful, every Washingtonian must take advantage of the improvements offered to them.
Let’s not wait to make this happen.