Blog: Get Covered through the Affordable Care Act

Statement

Imagine your child has asthma or severe allergies. One day, your health insurer informs you that they will no longer cover your child under your plan because they have a preexisting condition.

Or put yourself in the shoes of a recent college graduate who needs health care coverage but can't afford it while they are looking for a job.

Or imagine putting off desperately needed care for you or a sick loved one because you fear the cost of a visit to your doctor could put a financial strain on your family.

These scenarios were very real possibilities before the Affordable Care Act became law. I know this because I heard from West Virginians who faced these battles every day. But now, because of the health care law, millions of Americans and thousands of West Virginians are eligible for affordable health care through the Health Insurance Marketplace and West Virginia's expanded Medicaid program.

One of the most persistent goals of my public service career and my time in the U.S. Senate has been to increase access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans, no matter where they live or how much money they make. And we did that with the Affordable Care Act.

Across the country, more than eight million people, including 25,000 here in West Virginia, enrolled in health insurance, some for the first time in their lives. Governor Tomblin took another important step to extend health care to people by choosing to expand our state's Medicaid program under the law, which insured an additional 148,000 West Virginians. And the Department of Health and Human Services projects that millions more uninsured will seek out insurance this year.

As if the numbers weren't enough to prove the law is working, the benefits speak for themselves. Insurance companies can no longer turn you down for having a preexisting condition like asthma, diabetes or cancer. Young adults can stay on their parents' health insurance until they are 26. Preventive services for things like cancer screenings are free. And seniors are saving real dollars on prescription drug coverage now that we've closed the so-called "donut hole' in Medicare prescription drug coverage.

To stay healthy and achieve the peace of mind and financial security that health insurance provides, now it is the time to take action to get covered through the Marketplace or through a public program like Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Open enrollment for private coverage begins on November 15, 2014 and ends on February 15, 2015, but if you want coverage on January 1, 2015 you must enroll on or before December 15, 2014. You can do so by visiting healthcare.gov or by visiting wvinsurance.gov. If you purchased Marketplace coverage last year and want to keep or make changes to your plan, you should also visit healthcare.gov and take the steps needed to stay covered. Those who are Medicaid eligible can apply any time at wvinroads.org. My office is also here to help. Visit my online Health Insurance Resource Center, which addresses important questions about your options this year: http://www.rockefeller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/health-insurance-resource-center .

Thousands are already enjoying coverage through the Marketplace and Medicaid. It is my hope that every West Virginian will take advantage of the insurance options available to them this open enrollment season. Don't miss out. Get covered.

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