Farmer explains aspects of Obamacare to DCRW

“The Affordable Care Act (ACA) actually wanted to expand Medicaid to individuals making less than 138% of the federal poverty level, so that would bring in even more people to the Medicaid Program,” Farmer explained, “The Supreme Court said that states actually have to have the right to chose whether or not they expand their Medicaid program. So, at this point in time, 22 states have declined the expansion of Medicaid, 24 have accepted the expansion and 4 states, including Ohio, are still debating.”

Farmer explained the various categories that businesses will be grouped into and what it will mean. For small businesses with less than 50 employees, these businesses are exempt from penalties imposed on larger businesses for not providing insurance. What is available to small businesses is tax credits if they do provide health insurance and they can receive credits up to 50% of what they contribute to an employee’s health insurance. When the individual market place opens in 2014, small businesses will be able to shop through the same marketplace as individuals for insurance.”

“For large businesses, those with over 50 employers, keep in mind the ACA has been delayed a year, until 2015.” noted Farmer. Large businesses will have to meet guidelines as to the coverage provided by the insurance offered and the cost of the insurance offered. If the policy offered does not meet those guidelines, employers could be fined. They could also be fined if they do not provide insurance.

Farmer explained that some plans that were in effect when the ACA went into effect on March 23, 2010, are eligible to be “grandfathered” and there is a possibility that it can remain similar to what it is now.

Individuals will be able to shop for insurance plans for the 2014 year in the insurance marketplace at healthcare.gov, beginning on October 1, 2013. Navigators are being given grants to go out and help people “navigate” through this new system. There will be bronze to platinum plans offered with the following percentages of insured/co-pay: 60/40 for bronze, 70/30 silver, 80/20 gold and 90/10 for platinum.

There seems to be a lot of uncertainty regarding exactly what the ACA will and will not require, provide, and penalize.

Farmer ─ a Republican ─ will be running on the November General Election Ballot as a candidate for the Tri-Village School Board.

Ohio Representative Jim Buchy (R-84) will be the featured speaker at the next meeting of the DCRWC. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., October 14 at the Chestnut Village Center of the Brethren Home Retirement Community. If you would like to dine with the group, the cost of the meal is $7.50, and reservations are due by October 10. Reservations that are placed, are expected to be paid in full. Reservations may be placed by calling Wavelene Denniston at (937) 547-6477 or emailing her at dcrwreservations@darkegop.org. If you would like to attend the meeting, but not dine, you may do so by arriving prior to 7 p.m.

The DCRWC is a group of Republican Women who meet monthly and work at the grass-roots level to elect Republican candidates, provide political and legislative knowledge and furnish community service. For further information, contact President Sally Zeiter at (937) 423-2391 or email her at: DCRWPresident@darkegop.org