Englewood Resident Gives Locals a Rundown on Obamacare

By Megan Merrigan

In an effort to provide answers to residents' most confounding questions on the controversial 2,400 page American Care Act, forum leaders in Englewood broke down the impacts of "Obamacare" last week. 

About 100 Bergen County residents made their way to Englewood’s Community Baptist Church Friday evening to learn how the health reform law will personally affect them.

With less than three months until the ACA’s Health Insurance Marketplace opens for business, Englewood resident Sheila Thorne and a panel of her colleagues from the Department of Health and Human Services Region II Health Equity Council decided to break down the 2,400-page legislation with a series of informational meetings across the garden state.

Thorne has actively followed the progression of the ACA since Obama signed it into law in 2010. When December of 2012 rolled around and Thorne had not seen any efforts made to better inform the public, she decided it was time to gather her colleagues and start raising awareness in New Jersey.

“We need to do a grassroots movement and connect with churches, schools, community based organizations and other community-driven programs that reach the people that (the ACA) is set up to serve best,” Thorne said.

The panel’s first stop was Bergen County.

“Because [Bergen County] is considered, or perceived to be affluent, people might not expect there to be a great need here,” Thorne said.

Despite its reputation of affluence, there are over 75,000 Bergen County residents between the ages of 0 and 64 that are uninsured, according to a report by Rutgers University’s Center for State Health Policy. The report states that most of these residents will be eligible for Medicaid or subsidized coverage under the ACA.

On October 1, these uninsured residents will be able to shop for health insurance by way of a federal Health Insurance Marketplace. Those who purchase their insurance through this marketplace will be eligible for federal financial assistance based on their Federal Poverty Level (FPL) income.

The ACA also expands Medicaid eligibility. Under the ACA, eligibility will expand from those who earn 58 percent of FPL income to those who earn 133 percent.

The panel discussed changes in Medicaid eligibility, financial assistance, coverage for preventive services and the controversial tax penalty that comes along with not being insured, amongst other facets of the law, before handing the presentation over to the audience for a question and answer session.

Englewood resident Marvin Barnes attended the meeting to get a better understanding of how the ACA will benefit his sick mother.

Barnes explained that his mother was receiving both Medicare and Medicaid, and “things were going well.” That is until six months ago when he was told that his mother had to choose a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). 

“Now she has Medicaid, Medicare and an HMO…and it’s very confusing,” Barnes said.

“Now there’s bills coming out the woodworks, the medication’s not getting paid.” So, I’m hoping that in October those three can be combined to one, or there will be someone out there that we can go to before we become bankrupt.”

Thorne’s intent is that these informational meetings will give residents like Barnes someone to talk to.

In addition to presenting at churches in Passaic, Essex, Somerset and Mercer counties between now and September, Thorne and her team have taken the initiative to train Bergen County ambassadors to spread the word about the ACA and remind locals that the marketplace opens Oct. 1.

“Unfortunately at this point (the ambassadors) are working as volunteers,” Thorne said. “We hope that in September they can roll in to be counselors. So, they can sit across the table from someone and walk them through the process.

Thorne hopes those who attend the information sessions walk away encouraged to “take charge and control of their health.”