News Nuggets, Fact of the Matter, Changes Ahead, & Trending Now

News Nuggets, Fact of the Matter, Changes Ahead, & Trending Now https://aepc.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iStock-465626215-scaled.jpeg 2560 1696 AEPC Health AEPC Health //aepc.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AEPC-LOGO-v1.png October 26, 2024 October 26, 2024

Choices Matter

It’s that fun time of year, packed with choices for kids — Halloween! There’s the dilemma of picking a costume: something adorable, something spooky, or maybe the latest popular character. Then comes the selection of the perfect pumpkin to carve, and, of course, planning the best route for trick-or-treating. But perhaps the toughest decision of all is which candy to grab from the favorite neighbor’s big bowl. Just one, they’re told — Skittles? Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup? Definitely not the candy corn! And in those moments, every kid secretly hopes for more neighbors who will let them pick two or three.

However, this season of choices isn’t just for kids.

Choices, Choices
For millions of adults, it’s time to make a different kind of decision: choosing a healthcare plan during open enrollment. While it may not be as fun as choosing Halloween candy, having options is worth celebrating!

For the more than 66 million Medicare beneficiaries the 2025 Medicare open enrollment period kicked off October 15 and runs through December 7 – who could miss that flood of media ads? It’s also open enrollment time for many of the 167 million people under age 65 who have employer sponsored health insurance. And right around the corner starting November 1 is the start of open enrollment for Marketplace health plans, part of the American success story, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

Without a Choice
There was a time not that long ago, that millions of Americans did not have a choice of health insurance. It was not that there was only one health insurance option – there were none. It was like encountering an empty candy bowl at a neighbor’s during trick-or-treating.

That changed in 2010 with the Affordable Care Act, which opened up choices for Americans who had been left out of the healthcare system. Before the ACA, health insurance companies could deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, leaving many Americans without options if they had any history of illness. The ACA eliminated that restriction, meaning anyone can now apply for coverage without fear of rejection due to their medical history. Additionally, Medicaid expansion under the ACA brought affordable healthcare options to millions more by broadening eligibility for lower-income individuals and families.

Future Choices
Yet, just like candy options might change depending on the neighborhood, the choice of health insurance for over 45 million Americans covered by the ACA could be taken away. Over the years, some presidential candidates and members of Congress have proposed repealing the ACA. Losing this safety net would be like that house with the grumpy neighbor who refuses to give candy to the older kids who are not wearing a costume.

This November, another, even bigger choice looms: will you vote or stay home. Voting gives each of us a say in policies that shape our lives, from healthcare to everyday freedoms. Just like picking the right candy or finding the perfect pumpkin to carve, your vote helps determine the future of our country.

Each vote also helps protect our right to have choices, not just today but for the years ahead. This season, the decisions we make go way beyond Halloween treats — they’re about securing the kind of future we want for everyone.

So make the right choice – vote on or before November 5th!

Happy reading,

Suzanne Daniels

News Nuggets: transparency has not led to lower costs, CDC lowers age for pneumonia vaccine, and the company denying coverage for insurers.
Fact of the Matter: abortions & execution of babies after birth, cost of healthcare for illegal immigrants, and local cancer doctors can’t keep up the latest care.
Changes Ahead: the impact of the Presidential election on the ACA, insurers & hospitals drop MA plans, and changes for 2025 ACA plans.
Trending Now: including my personal favorite, No One Knows How Big Pumpkins Can Get!