Community Corner
POLL: Will You Have 'The Obamacare Talk' Over the Holidays?
The Obama administration is encouraging Americans to help their uninsured family members "get quality, affordable health insurance."
Wondering what to talk about with the in-laws or distant cousins or your crotchety uncle during holiday get-togethers? Well, if they are uninsured, the Obama administration has a suggestion: Obamacare.
"This holiday season, millions of Americans have a chance to get quality, affordable health insurance—many for the first time," the BarackObama.com "Health Care for the Holidays" web page states. "If you have family members who are uninsured, you can play a big part in helping them find coverage that works for them. It might not always seem like it, but your family listens to you. So have the talk."
Not sure what "The Talk" should cover? The website has several tips to help plan and carry out the conversation:
- Make sure visiting, uninsured family members bring the information they need to sign up for health coverage.
- Pick a good time and place to discuss health insurance. "Don’t wait until the last minute—be sure to start the conversation early," the website advises. Another tip: "Take advantage of downtime after meals or between holiday activities to start your talk."
- Ask family members to make a plan and commit to it by asking, “When do you plan on signing up?”
The website also provides suggested responses to "common misconceptions" about Obamacare. For instance, if a family member is worried insurance will be too expensive, you should, "Tell them: There are a variety of plans available in the new health insurance marketplace, so you can pick one that fits your budget. There’s also financial assistance available based on how much you make. In fact, almost 6 in 10 uninsured Americans may be able to get coverage for $100 a month or less."
If you are still uncomfortable with the idea of having "The Talk," the website has a video to demonstrate how easy it is.
Will you have "The Talk" with uninsured family members this holiday season? What do you think about the "Health Care for the Holidays" website? Let us know in the comments or vote in our poll. Note: This is not a scientific poll. It is for entertainment purposes only.
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