The President’s Weekly Address post is also an Open News Thread. Feel free to share other news stories in the comments.
From the White House – Weekly Address
In this week’s address, the President discussed the importance of reducing the number of people without health insurance. Because of the Affordable Care Act, more people now have the security of health insurance than ever before. As the law’s coverage provisions have taken effect, 17.6 million Americans have gained coverage, and the nation’s uninsured rate now stands at its lowest level ever. The ACA is working, making health care more affordable, accessible, and of higher quality for millions of people. But there are still Americans around the country who are eligible for Marketplace coverage yet remain uninsured. The President encouraged those who do not have health insurance at this point, especially those whose communities are part of the Healthy Communities Challenge, to go online, take advantage of the open enrollment period that began this past weekend, and sign up for health care coverage.
In this week’s address, the President discussed the importance of reducing the number of people without health insurance.
Transcript: Weekly Address: If You Haven’t Gotten Covered, Now’s Your Chance
Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address, The White House, November 7, 2015Hi, everybody. For decades, too many working Americans went without the security of health insurance — and their financial well-being suffered because of it.
We’ve begun to change that. As the Affordable Care Act has taken effect, we’ve covered 17.6 million Americans. Since 2010, the uninsured rate has decreased by 45%. And for the first time, more than 90% of Americans are covered.
If you haven’t gotten covered yet, or if you care about someone who hasn’t gotten covered yet, now’s your chance. It’s open enrollment season for the Health Insurance Marketplace.
What that means is, with a few clicks on HealthCare.gov, you’ll find private insurance companies competing for your business. You can compare plans and choose the one that’s right for your family. In fact, most Americans will find an option that costs less than $75 a month. Even if you already have insurance through the Marketplace, check it out. Shopping around can save you a lot of money — last year, consumers who shopped saved almost $400.
Take the story of a man named Phil Viso, who emailed me earlier this year. Phil’s a software developer from my hometown of Chicago. Last winter, he had an idea for a new app and decided to start his own company. And that can be scary when you need to get your own insurance. But Phil logged on to HealthCare.gov, answered a few questions, picked a plan, and even found out he was eligible for a tax credit that saved him money.
Here’s what he wrote: “I’m still sort of in shock about how great the experience of signing up for health care was…I will have a lot to worry about over the course of the year as I try to get my app released, but thankfully, good health care will not be one of those worries.”
After he sent me that email, Phil ended up getting a new and better job anyway. But that’s the whole point of health insurance. Peace of mind. And under the Affordable Care Act, if you want to change jobs, go back to school, or chase that new idea, you can do it without worrying about going broke if you get sick. If you’ve got a pre-existing condition — diabetes or cancer or heartburn or a heart attack — you can no longer be charged more or denied coverage. You can no longer be charged more just for being a woman. And preventive care like checkups and immunizations now come with no additional out-of-pocket costs.
What we’re talking about is no longer just a law, and it’s certainly not the myths and scare tactics that the cynics have peddled our way for years. This is reality. This is health care in America. And the bottom line is, Americans like it. They’re happy with their plans and their premiums.
So join them. Give it a shot. Check out HealthCare.gov, CuidadoDeSalud.gov, or call 1-800-318-2596 to find a plan that’s right for you or someone you care about.
And by the way — if you live in one of the 20 cities participating in our Healthy Communities Challenge, I want to see how many of your neighbors you can get signed up. I’ll come visit the city that enrolls the highest percentage of folks who aren’t covered right now. That’s a promise.
After all, this country is at its best when we look out for each other. And together, we can help more Americans get the security that they and their families deserve.
Thanks everybody. Have a great weekend.
Bolding added.
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The last 10% might be a tough “get” as it is people who are not poor enough for Medicaid (especially in the Republican states that rejected the expansion) but don’t have enough money for premiums because the tax credits are too low.
Health insurance is a tough sell when tax credits are low
The RWJF report shows that 96% of those who found insurance last year on the exchanges are satisfied with their coverage and staying put.
But it will be difficult to get everyone insured:
In the news: From the MSNBC Democratic Candidate Forum in South Carolina
Hillary Clinton on the brutal attack in South Carolina by the school “resource” officer and how we need to provide resources to help kids, not arrest them:
Warning: at the end Luke “Example of Promoting Based on Last Name Alone” Russert pops up on your screen!!
In the News: SCOTUS to hear another ACA lawsuit, the one attacking the birth control mandate
From SCOTUSblog:
Seven wins, one conservative appellate court loss forced the issue:
Hobby Lobby revisited:
The five Catholic men on the court will get another chance to set their religious beliefs into law, tossing aside science and the constitution. I am not very hopeful they will choose to uphold the laws and womens rights.