By DANN HAYES
dhayes1@dmreg.com
A small turnout didn’t dilute the message for local farmers as the Center for Rural Affairs, Iowa Farmers Union and the Iowa Citizen Action Network held a health care forum in Grinnell.
The forum, held at the First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, June 23, addressed issues concerning health care, specifically what the affordable care act means for Iowa families, students, farmers and small business owners.
Virginia Wolking, Center for Rural Affairs, discusses the affordable care act and health care in rural communities at a forum in Grinnell on Thursday, June 23. The meeting, held at the First Presbyterian Church, was also sponsored by the Iowa Farmers Union and the Iowa Citizen Action Network.
“This forum is a great opportunity for Iowans to learn about the affordable care act and get their questions answered,” said Virginia Wolking, rural policy organizer at the Center for Rural Affairs. “Whether you are wondering about what the health care law means for your family’s insurance, for the insurance you provide to your employees, if your child’s pre-existing condition is covered under your insurance, or about the timeline of when different parts of the Affordable Care Act will go into effect, we have answers to your questions.”
Despite a small turnout, those in attendance had a number of direct questions that pertained to their small business or farms with the focus on health care and the affordable held care act, which was signed into law on March 23, 2010.
“I don’t think the general public understands what’s it’s all about,” said Dwight Baldwin, a Kellogg resident who is also president of the Iowa State Grange. “Affordable health care is a necessity for everyone.”
The forum pointed that states will be required to create a health care marketplace.
According to Wolking, that marketplace can be different in each state or a number of states can combine to create a regional marketplace.
“It sounds to me like Iowa is planning to start its own exchange,” she said. “There’s lots of opportunity for input as to how the exchange will work.”
Iowa, she said, has applied for a federal grant to help develop the exchange.
Accordin to Alyssa Charney, an intern working with the Center for Rural Affairs, some of the benefits that have already taken affect include from the act include
• An individual can’t be dropped if you get sick.
• Ends lifetime limits and restricts annual limits.
• There is a process for appeals.
Expected benefits include
• Health Insurance marketplaces for individuals and small businesses in 2014.
• Affordable insurance through subsidies
• No pre-existing conditions
• Age, geography, family size and smoking are the only factors
• Expansion of medicaid.
Charney also said there will be additional funding for rural areas.
“There will be more funding for area health education centers (AHEC),” she said. “There will also be incentives to bring young health care providers to come back to the rural communities.”
You must log in to post a comment.