by Aquila Freeney | The Shorthorn staff | Tuesday, December 3, 2013
The Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, has been a trending topic in the United States.
State Rep. Chris Turner, of House District 101 explained to individuals the importance of the health care act and the process of applying for it.
At 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Senior Recreation Center, Turner hosted Health Insurance Town Hall, a meeting to inform the community about the Affordable Care Act.
He began the meeting by informing the attendees what tonight’s meeting was going to be about.
“Tonight is about helping people have information and helping people make good decisions for you and your family.”
Joann Duty, attendee and Arlington resident, asked Turner what would happen to the act after another president was elected. She asked if the health care would be repealed at the wishes of a new president.
“The answer is, I don’t know. I think if the law proves to be successful and people are able to get insurance, I don’t think anyone would want to repeal it,” Turner responded.
When asked how he viewed the act through the Democratic lens he said:
“The president worked hard to say that all Americans would be able to get health insurance,” Turner said. “This is why I’m working hard to get the word out in Arlington and Grand Prairie, to get people to sign up. Because no family should have to declare bankruptcy because someone in their family got ill.”
After Turner concluded his speech on the act, navigators from United Way of Tarrant County explained the process of enrolling in the Affordable Care Act in depth.
A navigator is defined by www.healthcare.gov as an individual or organization that’s trained and able to help consumers, small businesses and their employees as they look for health coverage options through the marketplace, including completing eligibility and enrollment forms.
Navigator Helen Espinoza showed PowerPoint slides that informed attendees that the deadline to apply for coverage is March 31. Espinoza also explained the process to enroll in the Affordable Care Act.
After the meeting, the navigators were available to sit with individuals to help them enroll in the Affordable Care Act.
