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HHS Secretary Sebelius & NAACP Health Director Discuss Affordable Care Act in Google Hangout

From White House Press Release
 
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius joined the NAACP on Wednesday in an online video conversation to discuss the benefits of enrolling in the Health Insurance Marketplace. During the Google+ Hangout, moderated by NAACP Senior Director of Health Programs Shavon Arline-Bradley, Secretary Sebelius addressed questions related to important Affordable Care Act deadlines, out-of-pocket expenses and health coverage for college students.
 
Secretary Sebelius also discussed the millions of people who could gain affordable coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. She highlighted the protections for consumers, including Insurance companies that can no longer charge women more or deny anyone coverage because of pre-existing health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
 
“Those days are over. It’s a brand new day. And we’re in the middle of an open enrollment period right now so people can visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 and shop for affordable quality health coverage,” said Secretary Sebelius.  
 
The conversation also helped dispel some rumors about the Affordable Care Act, including the myth that you could be penalized if your state refused to expand Medicaid and you can’t afford insurance.
 
“If you’re in a state that hasn’t expanded and you qualify for Medicaid, we have already said that there is no penalty for you,” stated Secretary Sebelius.
 
The NAACP seeks to enroll hundreds of thousands of African-Americans in the Health Insurance Marketplace before open enrollment closes on March 31st, 2014. The NAACP is also organizing in several states, including Florida and Pennsylvania to demand Medicaid expansion.
 
“This conversation could not have come at a more critical time,” stated Arline-Bradley.  “Access to affordable, quality health care is now a reality for millions more Americans.  It is now up to us to make sure our community takes the next step to find a plan that works for them and enroll.”
 
Secretary Sebelius and Mrs.  Arline- Bradley  were also joined in the Google+ Hangout by Justin Gray, a 28-year old bartender in Florida who remarked that his motivation for enrolling was “common sense.”  Gray enrolled in a plan, and with the subsidies, pays only $15 a month for insurance
 
Watch the full Google+ Hangout online here.

Related
President Obama on the ACA, on the Steve Harvey radio show
 
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