Mary Taylor,
In today’s Dispatch you are quoted as saying you don’t have much information to share when people call with questions about the new online marketplace.
I would suggest you tell them about http://www.healthcare.gov. That website will not only answer most of their questions, but beginning Tuesday it will answer all of their questions because the federal marketplace will be open.
They will also be able to apply online for health coverage on that website as well, beginning Tuesday.
You should also give them the phone number that is currently operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in 150 languages: 800-318-2596. They can call that number and get an answer anytime . . . not the run around your office is evidently giving them.
Had you done your job and set up a marketplace geared to Ohioans’ needs you wouldn’t now feel like you’re out of the loop.
In the mean time check out this website for a brief overview of what ObamaCare is all about.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/share/what-obamacare-means-you
I’ll be sending more information soon to help you do your job. Do you have any questions that I could answer for you right now? I’m retired and I’m here to help you.
Dave Girves, Citizen
davegirves 
i haven’t read everything, and sorry if I’m too pessimistic based on numerous prior times I was hopeful, but if Obamacare helps me I will be totally surprised. Medicaid has so far refused to cover me. And though, I have applied for over 600 jobs since January, I haven’t been given work. I have no money to pay an insurance premium. I also have 2nd stage Diabetes & a failing Gallbladder. So what did it improve for me? JClark – ic20-80no200ft@gmx.com
Joan,
The reason ObamaCare didn’t improve things for you is that it hasn’t taken effect yet.
I need more information. If you live in Ohio, you should have Medicaid coverage . . . unless you have no dependent children. If you have no children, ObamaCare requires the States to expand Medicaid to cover you beginning January 1, 2014. But the Supreme Court said that part of ObamaCare was up to each State. Our governor wants to expand Medicaid, but the Republicans in the State legislature are fighting him about that. So they may close that door for you.
Preparing for the worst, we have initiated a petition drive to put Medicaid Expansion on the ballot so Ohio voters could decide the issue. But it can’t get on the ballot until November of 2014 so we’re praying the legislature will come to its senses before then.
You must under 65 or you would have Medicare and no coverage problem. You must be over 25 or you could be on your parents’ insurance, (one feature of ObamaCare that has already taken effect).
Unfortunately most of the benefits in ObamaCare don’t take effect until January 1st. The soonest you can enroll for coverage is October 1st. That is why you are seeing so much Republican misinformation right now.
If they succeed in repealing the law you wouldn’t be able to buy insurance no matter how much money you had because your Diabetes and failing gallbladder are considered pre-existing conditions so no insurance company will sell you a policy.
One of the benefits of ObamaCare is that will be illegal as of January 1st. And, if we can get Medicaid expanded over Republican objections, you will have quality insurance for free.
If you have any other questions, email me at dgirves@columbus.rr.com with your information or try http://www.healthcare.gov.
Dave