The Affordable Care Act—the health insurance reform legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010—helps make prevention affordable and accessible for all Americans by requiring health plans to cover preventive services and by eliminating cost sharing for those services.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that 84 percent of Tennesseans who have insurance have “more choices and stronger coverage than ever before” because of the Affordable Care Act. The 16 percent of Tennesseans who don’t have insurance—those Tennessee families and small businesses who buy their coverage but are not satisfied with it—the future will bring a new way to find health coverage that fits their needs and their budgets, officials said.
For women in particular, the Affordable Care Act will expand prevention coverage for their health and well-being particularly for mammograms, screenings for cervical cancer, prenatal care, and other preventive services. “The Affordable Care Act ensures women are covered by health plans with no cost sharing.”
To better address this issue, the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce is presenting “How the Affordable Care Act Will Affect You” as the topic for the Aug. 26 Women’s Council noon luncheon. A panel of local insurance professionals will address specifically how the upcoming implementation of the act will affect women as employers, employees and individual consumers.
Panelists include Pamela Nelson, Ocoee Insurance Services; Andy Figlestahler, Ed Jacobs & Associates; and Pam Rowe, McIntire & Associates Insurance Inc.
“Our insurance professionals are well-qualified to talk about the Affordable Care Act,” Ann Marie Brewer, Women’s Council chairman, said. “This will be a great chance to clarify how this legislation will affect businesses and individuals.”
All women and men are invited to participate in Women’s Council sessions, which are opportunities for networking and learning.
Cost for “How the Affordable Care Act Will Affect You” session is $15 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members and includes a buffet luncheon. To register, call 472-6587 by noon on Thursday, Aug. 22. Chamber members also may register online at the community calendar at
www.clevelandchamber.com.