facts about the affordable care act
The California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) is dedicated to advancing meaningful, measurable improvements in the way the health care delivery system provides care to the people of California, particularly those with low incomes and those whose needs are not well served by the status quo. They have a great reference center for facts about the ACA.
ENROLL IN/SUPPORT the aca
President Obama discusses our progress on health care, and what's most important for you to do right now. Watch here.
More info on open enrollment can be found at Healthcare.gov. . The deadline for coverage that starts Jan. 1st, 2017 is December 15th. January 31st is the last day to apply for 2017 coverage.
If the ACA has positively impacted your life, tweet about it using #ACAworks and share your stories at this link.
Covered California wants people to know: Your Covered California coverage is not in jeopardy. We encourage you to renew into your existing plan or shop for a new plan that best fits you and your family. Don’t risk a financial burden in 2017 by not enrolling.
Here are three things you need to know:
- Your coverage will remain intact for 2017 and the foreseeable future.
- Your financial assistance (subsidies, APTC/CSR, small business tax credits) are protected under the law.
- The rates for 2017 will not change.
alternative options for health insurance
A freelancers union has been formed to create a group health insurance plan.
FINDING FREE OR AFFORDABLE CARE
HRSA Find a Health Center App: HRSA Find a Health Center App helps find federally-funded health centers that care for you, even if you have no health insurance. You pay what you can afford, based on your income.
The affordable care act:who is working to protect it's Benefits
22 Million Lives is an incredible pledge by physicians to care for anyone left vulnerable by changes to the ACA.
Doctors for America mobilizes doctors and medical students to be leaders in putting patients over politics on the pressing issues of the day to improve the health of our patients, communities, and nation. They are actively working on advocacy related to the Affordable Care Act. You can join to stay informed even if you aren't a doctor.
SPEAK UP ABOUT TOM PRICE FOR HEALTHCARE CABINET POSITION
Clinician Action Network has put out a statement signed by thousands of physicians and growing who depart from the AMA in its support of Tom Price for Health and Human Services secretary. Read it here and if you know practicing doctors who would like to sign it, send it on.
Call or email the AMA to express your opinion. Call: (312) 464-5000. Email: usc@ama-assn.org
READ ABOUT THE HEALTH CORRELATES OF VOTING BEHAVIOR
Akash Goel writes about the public health impact of hate, in Time Magazine. "Donald Trump and the Epidemiology of Hate."
The Economist published a fascinating chart looking at the geographic correlates of health indices and voting behavior: "Trump succeeds where health is failing."
mental health resources
Hotlines
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a free, confidential, 24/7 support for people in distress, as well as provides crisis resources and best practices for professionals. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders. Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, or text 838255.
Treatment Locators
SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator is a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance abuse/addiction and/or mental health problems.
RESTRICTIONS ON STUDYING GUN VIOLENCE AS IT RELATES TO HEALTH
Our government affects what we can research when it comes to health. For example, the CDC can’t research gun violence. Learn about the Dickey Amendment of 1996.
WORRYING PERSPECTIVES ON VACCINES
Suggestions that Trump doesn’t support vaccines are concerning to public health especially when one of the world's leading medical journals retracted the paper supporting this claim.