Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter to state the support of the Greenbrier Democratic Executive Committee for the Affordable Care Act (ACT) and the benefits derived from it.
Our U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, at a recent hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, of which he is Chairman of the Health Care Subcommittee, railed against Republicans who are attempting to undermine the Affordable Care Act through a campaign of misinformation.
He wants his constituents to know that many of the ACA’s opponents are distorting the fact that people are gaining and not losing benefits under the law.
While he is very concerned, as are we, over the problems Americans are facing in signing up for health insurance, he makes it crystal clear that we should not let the marketplace’s problems overshadow the life saving benefits of the law.
West Virginia has been a leader in the expansion of the Medicaid program under the ACA. Up to an estimated potential of 100,000 West Virginians will be eligible to be signed up and covered during 2014.
Currently, there are “Navigators” stationed in the Health and Human Services office in Fairlea. The local office phone number is 304-647-7476. They are trained to assist any citizen, in person, who wants assistance signing up for health care coverage. Call for an appointment. There are also Navigators stationed at the Greenbrier Medical Center 304-647-4411 and the Rainelle Medical Center 304-484-771 or 484-7400. A national toll free hotline exists where you can speak with a representative of the Affordable Care Act. That number is 1-800-318-2596.
We encourage your readers to take advantage of these services.
Steve Rutledge
Friars Hill