Oct 1 Open Enrollment for new Healthcare Act

October 1, 2013 is the beginning of open enrollment for the new Healthcare Act. Its primary purpose is to provide coverage to those who do not have any medical insurance, but it is worth the time of everyone to study the program and IT IS WORTH HEARING IN DETAIL ON KPFA, 94.1 FM, NOW THAT THE 3:30 PM FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS IS GONE. In California, the whole program is found at http://coveredca.com/ and assistance by phone is at 800-300-1506.

The health insurance and health maintenance organizations which are participating are listed at
http://coveredca.com/news/PDFs/CC-health-plans-booklet-rev2.pdf
This same booklet covers the rest of the program.

The Children’s Dental Program is described at
http://coveredca.com/news/PDFs/CC_Childrens_dental_plan_rates.pdf

Coverage Basics are at
http://www.coveredca.com/coverage_basics.html

The financial limits are described at
http://www.coveredca.com/PDFs/English/Covered_California_Getting_Financial_Help_fact_sheet_English.pdf

There are 2 glaring weaknesses. The first is that undocumented immigrants are not covered. This is despicable and anti-science as epidemics know nothing about citizenship. Remember, this program was passed by a Democratically controlled House and Senate and signed by a Democratic president and yet we get a very reactionary and expensive program. The second is that none of it is free, not even to the poor. There are all kinds of monthly premiums, co-pays and deductibles. For example, in San Francisco (the program differs by region), a person in the 60-64 age group who makes more than the $45,960 maximum income for 1 person, ends up with a choice at Kaiser ranging from $668 per month plus a $4500 deductible to $908 per month and no deductible, and still has to pay all kinds of fees. Clearly there is no cost control and thus we have ridiculously high rates to pay and MEDICAL COVERAGE IS NOT HEALTHCARE.

The case for 100% tax-funded healthcare, socialized medicine for all, is clearly made with this program. It is certainly worth much discussion everywhere.