Thompson Sets Forum on New Healthcare Law

 U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena will hold an informational forum on the Affordable Care Act and its new benefits. 

The forum will be Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at
McPherson Elementary School, Multi-Use Room, 2670 Yajome St., Napa.

Enrollment in Covered California, a new marketplace for affordable, quality health insurance opens today, Oct. 1.

At the forum, you can learn how to enroll and receive information about what benefits and options are available to you.

Other panelists at the forum include:

--Alice Hughey, Napa County Health and Human Services Agency Interim Director

--Elba Gonzalez-Mares, Health Services Manager with Children's Health Initiative of Napa County.                                                      

According to Thompson, health care reform has already allowed more than 38,000 children with preexisting conditions to be now covered in California’s 5th District.

More than 6,000 seniors have saved $7 million on prescription drugs in California’s 5th District. And more than 235,000 people have benefited from no longer having a lifetime limit on their coverage in California’s 5th District.

 Also because of health care reform, insurance companies can no longer drop a woman’s coverage because she becomes pregnant, or kick people off of their insurance plan if they become sick.

In the new online Marketplace, constituents in California’s 5th District looking for coverage will be able to shop among affordable choices at CoveredCA.com.  It is estimated that more than half of those shopping in the new marketplace will qualify for discounts on their monthly premium, based on their income.

There is no denial for pre-existing conditions, no annual or lifetime limits on coverage, and no higher rates for women compared to men.

If constituents have questions about the Marketplace, they can call 1-800-318-2596, a toll-free hotline open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.