Facebook Instagram Twitter
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission Statement
    • Full Circulation
    • Reader demographic
  • Latest Stories
  • Caregiver
  • Finance
  • Housing
  • Previous Issues
    • Previous Issues
    • Archives
  • Contact
Search
48.3 F
Westborough
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Facebook Instagram Twitter
Fifty Plus Advocate news and events Fifty Plus Advocate
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission Statement
    • Full Circulation
    • Reader demographic
  • Latest Stories
  • Caregiver
  • Finance
  • Housing
  • Previous Issues
    • Previous Issues
    • Archives
  • Contact
Home News Personal ‘Obamacare’ accounts debut
  • News

Personal ‘Obamacare’ accounts debut

By
Sondra Shapiro
-
August 7, 2013
0
Facebook
Twitter
Email

    By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar

    WASHINGTON —

    You can now open your own personal “Obamacare” account — but you’ll have to wait awhile before you can actually use it to pick a health insurance plan.

    Just eight weeks before the Oct. 1 launch of open enrollment under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law, administration officials announced Monday that the Affordable Care Act is a step closer to reality for millions of uninsured Americans.

    Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said consumers can now go online to healthcare.gov and create personal accounts by establishing a username and password.

    However, serious shopping will have to wait until sometime in September, when details on insurance plans and premiums offered in local areas will become available through the new online marketplace.

    While Monday’s announcement may sound like partial progress only, Sebelius quickly moved to put the law’s doubters on notice. “Let me be clear,” she said. “We are on target and ready to flip the switch on Oct. 1.”

    The congressional Government Accountability Office and Treasury’s inspector general for the Internal Revenue Service have been among the nonpartisan oversight organizations warning of possible delays with the rollout of the law.

    The new personal account feature unveiled Monday will be available just in English for the time being. HHS said personal accounts will be coming soon to the Spanish-language marketplace, at cuidadodesalud.gov.

    “Every step of the way there has been a delay in the Spanish language information, but they have gotten there,” said Jennifer Ng’andu, health policy director for the National Council of La Raza, a Latino civil rights group. Hispanics are seen as a key constituency for the law’s success. Although they are more likely to be uninsured, they are a young population whose premiums could help subsidize older adults.

    But the government’s Spanish name for its health care website _ cuidadodesalud.gov — doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. “It kind of sounds like ‘caution — health care,’ ” Ng’andu said.

    Adding to the many details and the sheer logistical complexity facing the Obama administration is the refusal of congressional Republicans to provide additional implementation funds the president has requested. Some GOP lawmakers are advocating a government shutdown to try to block what they deride as “Obamacare” — a term the administration itself has started using.

    The new online insurance marketplaces will be geared to people who don’t have coverage through their jobs, most of whom will be eligible for tax credits to help pay their premiums. Insurance benefits take effect Jan. 1. That’s also when the law will require most Americans to have health insurance or face fines. In return, insurers will be barred from turning away people with medical problems. The administration hopes to sign up at least 7 million uninsured people next year.

    On Monday the administration also launched a special call center for small businesses seeking coverage under the law, at 800-706-7893. Small firms will have access to marketplaces designed for them, and some may be eligible for tax credits as well.

    Sebelius said she doesn’t mind if people call the Affordable Care Act “Obamacare.”

    “The president himself embraced the term ‘Obamacare,’ ” Sebelius said in a teleconference with reporters. If it helps getting people signed up, she added, “then I’m all for that.” — AP

    Post Views: 1,899
    • TAGS
    • account
    • care
    • Health
    • law
    • Obama
    • personal
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Email
      Previous articleAARP, U.S. Chamber of Commerce partner to improve retirement savings
      Next articleYou take care of Mom, but who will take care of you?
      sshapiro@fiftyplusadvocate.com'
      Sondra Shapiro

      RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

      Gov. Maura Healey speaks about recent tax cuts at the Northborough Senior Center. (photo/Laura Hayes)
      News

      Gov. Healey travels to Northborough Senior Center to highlight tax cuts

      Esther Folkes poses with Hudson Senior Center staff at her 104th birthday celebration on May 5 at Peter’s Grove.
      News

      Hudson resident celebrates 104th birthday

      Latest Features

      FPA February 2023

      News

      Fifty Plus Advocate November 2022

      Caregiver

      ECRG Autumn 2021-Spring 2022

      Kate Donaghue is a longtime resident and community activist from Westborough.
      News

      Westborough’s Kate Donaghue announces campaign for new state representative seat

      Sign in
      Welcome! Log into your account
      Forgot your password? Get help
      Password recovery
      Recover your password
      A password will be e-mailed to you.

      LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

      Log in to leave a comment

      Follow Us

      Archives

      EDITOR PICKS

      Russ Gannon and Red Sox Announcer Joe Castiglione on the set. (Courtesy/Russ Gannon)

      Let’s play ball: Hudson actor rounds the bases in new film

      May 19, 2025
      View All Options empowers people when selecting a nursing home by providing information that allows them to make an informed choice.

      Don’t make a nursing home decision blindly. It’s important to View...

      May 17, 2025
      The Paradise Rock Club in Boston has been featuring both up-and-coming and iconic musical acts for nearly half a century. Photo/Courtesy of the Paradise Rock Club

      Paradise Rock Club is one of Boston’s most storied music venues

      May 15, 2025

      POPULAR POSTS

      Descended from not just one – from nine Mayflower passengers

      June 29, 2020
      living wills

      7 important things to know about living wills

      May 26, 2010

      Ruth Pointer calls Massachusetts home

      March 1, 2020

      Popular categories

      • This Month's Features1029
      • News332
      • Expert Advice and Columnists256
      • Arts and Entertainment236
      • Travel176
      • Notable People169
      • Finance158
      © 2024 Fifty Plus Advocate. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
      Website Hosted & Maintained by inConcert Web Solutions