Get Ready to Get Covered What the
Affordable Care Act means for Women
Written By Jenny Black, President & CEO, PPMaryland Photography by Dan Anderson Photography
W
ith all the news about healthcare reform, know best as “Obamacare,” many of us are still wondering what the Affordable Care Act (ACA) means for us and our families. At its core, the ACA means that all Americans will have access to insurance, and cannot be denied insurance for any pre-existing conditions. To support this goal, the ACA requires that everyone get a health insurance plan, either through our employers as many of us already do, or on our own. Those who do not
“The good news is that now, millions of people who haven’t been able to afford insurance will get financial help to do so. For many people, insurance has been simply too expensive for too long. The ACA fixes this problem.” choose to enroll for insurance will eventually pay a fine instead. The success of the ACA depends on everyone, young and old, healthy and not, joining health insurance programs together - to spread costs evenly and help stabilize our healthcare industry. The good news is that now, millions of people who haven’t been able to afford insurance will get financial help to do so. For many people, insurance has been simply too expensive for too long. The ACA fixes this problem. Enrollment in new health insurance plans begins on October 1, and Planned Parenthood of Maryland is already working to educate our communities about what the new healthcare law means for them. On 24
B WOMAN Magazine / October 2013
our website, through our social media, or even during a regular visit to one of our 8 health centers across the state, we are working hard to make sure Marylanders are ready for these changes. Nearly 12 million women between the ages of 19 and 44 will be eligible for health insurance coverage. In Maryland, there are 196,542 eligible uninsured women in this age group. Nationwide, nearly 2 million African-American women and 2.5 million Latinas currently uninsured will have access health insurance. The bottom line is, millions of women will have access to health insurance for the first time – and that makes this a very exciting time in our country’s history.