State (CA) Takes Lead In Health Care Law - AARP

[pinto]

State Takes Lead in Health Care Law

By Ray Huard

Sam Thomas of Pasadena, an AARP volunteer, is one of hundreds of people around the state being trained by community organizations to explain the benefits of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) to consumers.

“They’ve just heard the stuff on television—how terrible it is, how horrible it is. It actually isn’t,” said Thomas, 72, a retired executive director of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Los Angeles. “I think they feel better after we’ve spoken to them.”

By just about every measure, California leads the nation in implementing the ACA: from setting up a new state agency that will help people find and enroll in health insurance plans to expanding Medicaid.

“California is going to be the shining example for other states,” said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, a nonpartisan consumer organization for health care based in Washington, D.C. “There’s no question that California’s efforts are considerably more than we’re seeing in other states.”

State officials estimate that 5.3 million California residents who now lack coverage will be eligible to enroll in health insurance plans offered by 13 companies and nonprofit groups selected by Covered California, the new state agency created to manage the ACA marketplace.

- See more at: http://states.aarp.org/ca-aca/#sthash.1ZwvrW9Q.dpuf

[4dsc]

1. Any information on rates?

My cousin is claiming he's going to have to pay another $150 a month next year. He thought his rates would go down under ACA. Anyone have an answer for him? This isn't really a good plan if his rates go up.

[bobja]

2. There's a calculator at Covered California

Here's the link: http://www.coveredca.com/

Lots more information there too.

[pinto]

3. +1

Good source to check out.