Published October 23rd, 2013
Two Local Opportunities to Learn About the Affordable Care Act
By Cathy Tyson
You've heard about it on TV, read about it in the paper, but now, live and in person get the scoop from Covered California Certified Educator Sue Hamill. She'll be discussing and answering questions at an upcoming presentation, Understanding the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. With enrollment now open and the program taking effect in January of 2014, now is a good time to compare and contrast coverage choices. This is a change in the delivery of healthcare for many Californians; this event is an opportunity get the facts, possibly dispel some myths and ask what it all means.
"Specifically, the presentation shows how the Covered California healthcare marketplace exchange works, so people can find out what new healthcare insurance options are available to them thanks to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I describe what services are included in the health plans offered through Covered California and how the pricing structure works," said Hamill. "I show people how to determine what insurance system they are eligible for and is most financially feasible. It might be Medi-Cal, Covered California, or their current employer sponsored program."
The free event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29 in the Arts and Science Discovery Center on the Mezzanine floor of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.
Alison McKenzie, who has been recruited by the California State Department to train county leaders about the Affordable Health Care Act (ACA) and its implications, will also discuss the ACA provisions at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 at the Serbian Cultural Center, 1700 School St. in Moraga. She will answer the following questions: What is the ACA ? Who does it cover? and How does it work? Her free presentation applies to an audience of all ages.
McKenzie served as an administrative law judge in social services for the State of California. She knows firsthand the "ins and outs" of many of the state's publicly funded service programs, including Home Supportive Services, CalFresh (aka Food Stamps), Foster Care, and Aid to Adoptive Children. Although newly retired, she continues to be involved with administrative hearings on a part time basis and, because of her familiarity with Medi-Cal eligibility.
The presentation is sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette (OML) Chapter. For more information about the event, visit www.aauwoml.org.

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