Dearborn, MI - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following remarks alongside representatives from Oakwood Healthcare at Oakwood Heritage Hospital in Taylor, MI.  Oakwood Healthcare is working tirelessly to assist the most vulnerable Americans with finding health care solutions.  Uninsured and underinsured patients are already seeing benefits from the Affordable Care Act, such as: allowing young adults to stay on their parents’ coverage until they turn 26, and requiring insurers to cover children with medical problems.

“Because of this new law, American families – not insurance companies – will be in control of their health care,” Dingell said.  “For the first time, health insurance companies will be required to cover everyone, even those with pre-existing conditions.  For the first time, millions of Americans will have access to quality, affordable health care.  In fact, because of this new law, 34 million Americans will be insured. That is certainly a reason to celebrate.

“For people who are currently uninsured or purchase insurance through the individual market, in 2014 this new law will allow you to buy the same choice of private insurance as Members of Congress through new health insurance Exchanges.  These Exchanges will serve as a competitive marketplace and will provide easy one-stop shopping for health insurance.  Never again, will you lose your insurance if you become unemployed or change jobs.  This new law will also provide the largest middle-class health care tax credit in history, so that more people can afford insurance.

“For the first time, all people under 133 percent of the Federal Poverty level will be eligible for Medicaid – which will go a long way in reducing the number of uninsured.  If you have a pre-existing condition that keeps you from getting affordable coverage, this year you will have access to affordable insurance through a temporary subsidized high-risk pool.  When the Exchanges are up and running in 2014, it will be against the law for a health insurance company to deny you coverage based on your pre-existing condition.  If you are a young adult, this year you will be able to stay on your parents’ insurance policy until your 26th birthday.

“In the 15th District specifically: 488,000 residents will have improved coverage, up to 160,000 families and 11,600 small businesses will have access to tax credits to help them afford coverage, 93,000 Medicare beneficiaries will get improved Medicare, including closing the donut hole, 18,000 previously uninsured residents will get coverage, and 8,700 residents with pre-existing conditions will have guaranteed access to health insurance.

“I have always believed that access to health care is a right, a right that every individual is entitled to regardless of their employment status.  No one should have to choose between a visit to the doctor or dinner on the table, and today the fine folks of Oakwood will help you to ensure that is not the case.

“I hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to speak directly with Oakwood’s financial advisors about how to pay for your healthcare needs until you again obtain employment, as well as receive a free health screening.  I also hope you will take with you a copy of my Displaced Workers Guidebook, which has information about Oakwood’s programs, as well as information about free or low-cost health care clinics around Southeast Michigan.

“While Michigan’s unemployment rate has improved slightly, there is still much work to be done in the arena of job creation.  Rest assured I will continue to fight for job creation legislation in the House, as well as to fight for a much-needed extension of unemployment benefits.  I will continue to remind my friends on the other side of the aisle that there is no greater emergency for American families than unemployment.”

Congressman Dingell spoke to a crowd of several dozen people, and after the event, heard individual stories from people who are personally experiencing the burden of being uninsured.  Representatives from Oakwood Healthcare also discussed what is currently available for low income and displaced workers, including: Oakassist (financial counselors for health care expenses and Medicaid application resource), Oakwood Human Resources Department, Western Wayne Family Health Center, Heart Health Screening and information (including Blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose), Family Health History Risk Assessment, Nutrition on a Budget Information, Gift of Life Michigan, and Teen Health Center/MI-Child information.  A free health screening service at the event identified several people who have been forgoing necessary medication and treatment because they have been unable to afford it. 

Please see Congressman Dingell’s website for the Displaced Workers Guidebook, a resource that is meant to highlight and explain opportunities for federal, state and local assistance for workers who have been displaced.