In an effort to emphasize the importance of access to affordable health insurance coverage for North Carolinians, Pisgah Legal Services held a press conference Tuesday in partnership with the North Carolina Justice Center. Speakers included political and legal advocates for the ACA, as well as residents who offered stories about their experiences with affordable care and health insurance.
“Now is the time to let your representatives know that you believe that everyone deserves access to healthcare. When everyone can see a doctor or get preventative care, we have a stronger economy, healthier communities and stable families.”
Though more Buncombe County residents now have health insurance than ever before, many of the poorest are still falling through the cracks.
“My overwhelming feeling is one of utter frustration whenever I think about [‘Obamacare.’] “
While the sign-up deadline for health care under the Affordable Care Act passed March 31, some can still sign up, according to an attorney with one of the local nonprofits that has assisted WNC residents in doing so. People who dealt with technical difficulties or have a major life change can still get healthcare under the ACA. Also, due to North Carolina’s government refusing to expand Medicaid, many locals will not face a penalty for not having insurance.
At their first meeting of 2014 on Jan. 7, Buncombe County Commissioners will seek public feedback on a plan to give $1.12 million in cash grants to Jacob Holm Industries to help it expand local operations. They’ll also consider hiring 17 new workers at the Health and Human Services Department, as well as new zoning regulations.
In this set of short pieces, Xpress looks at the efforts of local organizations and “navigators” to help residents get coverage under the new healthcare law, the reactions they’re seeing so far, information on how to connect with these services and on-the-ground perspectives from a couple of volunteer navigators.
They came with notepads, folders and pamphlets, and many of the more than 100 people who attended the Council on Aging of Buncombe County’s first information session about the Affordable Care Act came with questions on Oct. 17. More sessions are planned through the month of November.
Whether it was talk about the tax revaluation facing Buncombe County or the new tax rates coming from the Affordable Care Act, presentations at the Sept. 7 Council of Independent Business Owners breakfast focused on how these changes could impact the wallets of local business owners. These are the highlights. (Photo of Scott Huges, above, and Gary Roberts by Caitlin Byrd)
Thanks to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, most women can now have conversations about domestic violence with their doctor without having to worry about the cost. Effective Aug. 1, domestic-violence screening is one of eight free preventive services for women. Domestic violence survivor Sharone Owen shares her story about how one conversation with her doctor may have saved her life. (photo by Caitlin Byrd)
Hours after the Supreme Court announced its landmark ruling on health care, Mission Health CEO and President Ron Paulus made his own statement about what the 5-4 ruling means on the local level. His verdict? The ripple effect of health care reform remains to be seen. Above, Paulus reads his statement about the ruling. (Photo by Caitlin Byrd)
Thanks to a more than $500,000 grant made available through the Affordable Care Act, the Hendersonville-based Blue Ridge Community Health Services will be able to provide health care services at a new clinic in Brevard, N.C. starting in October. (Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge Community Health Services)
A central question for President Barack Obama’s health care reform law will be answered later this month. Namely, will the U.S. Supreme Court strike down the Affordable Care Act as unconstitutional? If “Obamacare” stands, North Carolina will have other unknowns to contend with. Specifically, where will the state come up with the hundreds of millions […]
