Do you know how the new health care law will affect you? The Affordable Care Act (also known as health care reform or Obamacare) was passed into law in March 2010 and upheld by the Supreme Court in July 2012. Some provisions, like children staying on their parents´ insurance up to age 26 and prescription drug discounts to help close the “donut hole” for Medicare seniors, started immediately. However, the biggest changes under the Affordable Care Act are set to begin on Jan. 1, 2014.
Approximately 365,000 Kansans are uninsured. This is approximately 13.1% of the state population. Others affected most by the Affordable Care Act are the 5.5% of Kansans who have individual private insurance. For them a visit to the “Marketplace” to enroll in coverage may seem a bit overwhelming.
Mark your calendar and plan to attend an informational session at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Barton County Extension Office meeting room, 1800 12th Street in Great Bend. My colleagues, Linda Beech, from Ellis County and Jamie Rathbun, from Ellsworth County will join me in leading the discussion. We will attempt to shed some light on the complexities of the Affordable Care Act and provide consumer resources for more information from K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Insurance Commissioner.
The noon-hour program is free and open to the public.
Extension Council Elections set for Oct. 29th
Stop by the Barton County Extension Office anytime between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29th to cast your ballot in this years Extension Council Election. Alicia, Berny and I rely on the input from committee members in each of our program areas, guiding us to provide programs that meet the needs of Barton County residents. Members of the four committees are elected for a two year term and may serve a total of four years. Next week I will share the names of the candidates with you.
Donna Krug is the Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Barton County. You may reach her at (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu