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Implementing Health Reform

Broadcast date: 10/30/2014

In 2013 the most recent ACTION report showed that a growing number of San Luis Obispo residents were without insurance, with 12% in 2006 and increasing to 18% in 2013.  The report noted that only 26% of Spanish-Speaking parents had health insurance.  Lack of insurance can be a significant barrier to quality health care, and in many cases results from rising health care costs.

In January 2014, health insurance coverage became accessible to many of these individuals under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Covered California reported enrolling more than 95,000 consumers on the Central Coast in either subsidized or non-subsidized health insurance plans during its 2014 open enrollment period.

While understanding the full effects of health care reform will take more time, has its implementation thus far had an effect on the quality of health care for individuals and the community as a whole? What can be expected for the next open enrollment period starting in November?

Host Kris Kington-Barker is joined by guests Joel Diringer, JD, MPH, Founder and Principal at Diringer and Associates, along with Covered California Certified Enrollment Counselors, Elena Ramirez with AIDS Support Network, and Fred Aguilera with Community Health Centers of the Central Coast, Inc. to provide an update on health care reform and discuss the upcoming open enrollment period. 

Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX.

Kris Kington-Barker is co-host of Central Coast Voices, heard every Thursday on KCBX from 1:00—12:00 p.m. Kris has worked in healthcare fields ranging from mental health to hospital administration, and has served as a volunteer and board member for many Central Coast non-profit organizations.