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Health & Fitness

H-F Area LWV Hosts "Obamacare" Presentation

A panel of three presented a program on the Affordable Health Act (also known as "Obamacare" to members and guests of the Homewood-Flossmoor Area League of Women Voters at their October meeting.

The Homewood-Flossmoor Area League of Women Voters recently held its October meeting at the Homewood Public Library. A panel of three presented a program on the "Patient Protection" and "Affordable Care Act."

Sheri Djurisic, a health care attorney, explained the Supreme Court's ruling in July, with an emphasis on the rationale given by Chief Justice Roberts regarding Congress's ability to tax.  She stated that the "fine" for not having insurance (part of the ACA) may be difficult to enforce.  Regarding Medicaid expansion, the Supreme Court ruled that states can decline it without losing all of the original funding.

Jim Tiernan, a licensed producer for life and health insurance in Illinois with a background that includes working the Patient Protection Care Act, spoke of some of the aspects of the ACA.  These included insurance exchanges, free preventative care, coverage of pre-existing conditions, and no lifetime limits.  Much more transparent pricing of medical procedures is another aspect of the ACA which Mr. Tiernan explained.  He encouraged people under 65 to take advantage of HAS (Health Savings Accounts) which offer before-tax savings for medical/dental coverage.

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Representing ARRP, Laurinda Dodgen provided several handouts for the audience.  These handouts included information regarding the ACA timeline, closing the Medicare Part D Coverage Gap, and key provisions in the ACA that have already helped millions of people -- especially the enhanced efforts to crack down on Medicare fraud, waste and abuse, which help us all.  She especially encouraged the audience to contact their elected officials to urge them to restore funding for Illinois Cares Rx and the Community Care Program, which was completely eliminated by the General Assembly.  This critical program allowed over 160,000 Illinois seniors to get the prescription drugs they need.  As of July 1st, thousands of residents will be turned away at the pharmacy simply because they can no longer afford their prescription medications.  The Community Care Program that helps seniors stay in their home is also slated for cuts.

H-F LWV Program Co-Chair Kate Atkins-Trimnell made arrangements for the evening's informative program.  Members Pat Hillstrom and Grace Parrish, who provided refreshments for those who attended, served as hostesses for the evening's program.

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