Translate
For years, people avoided seeking health care because of the bills, especially in our local communities. During a local health fair in Atwater hosted by Castle Family Health Care, the recurring answer to why people didn’t look for appropriate health care is because they feel that they couldn’t afford it. According to the “Cost and Benefits” report by eHealthInsurance, as of February 2011, in the state of California, the average individual plan health insurance cost $183 per month ($2,196 annually), while the average family plan cost $414 per month ($4,968 annually).
[pullquote_right]According to CHIS data in 2009, 12,000 people in Merced County were eligible for current health care programs, such as Medicaid, who are unaware or not informed of the benefits. By 2014, there will be another 25,000 people in Merced County who are unaware of health care they are eligible for.[/pullquote_right]
With the high cost of healthcare and the high unemployment and poverty rate in Merced, people must manage their money carefully and choose which necessities they are willing to pay for. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2011 26.8% of Merced County lived in poverty. Some people are forced to choose to pay for food rather than gas or electricity. As a result, paying for health insurance and getting medical attention may be low on many people’s priority list. Even with social programs like Medicaid that give health care aids for individuals and families, people choose not to get health care because it can still be expensive.
So how will Obamacare affect our community of Merced? According to CHIS data in 2009, 12,000 people in Merced County were eligible for current health care programs, such as Medicaid, who are unaware or not informed of the benefits. By 2014, there will be another 25,000 people in Merced County who are unaware of health care they are eligible for.
Is there a certain part of the population that will be affected more or less by ObamaCare than others? Mrs. Mockus explains, “People who are employed in large organizations will not see much of a change. Those who will be most impacted with the implementation of Obamacare [are] folks who do not have any insurance, mainly lower income people.”
