By Samone Jackson
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – Camden County College students, like students around the country, have a chance to apply for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
Student Robin Hester checks out information about the Affordable Care Act. By Samone Jackson, CCC Journalism Program
Many CCC students haven’t had the chance to apply and some didn’t know a table with applications for coverage was set up at the school’s barbecue on Sept. 25.
Brianna Dunlap, 20, a student at CCC, has no health insurance. She knows about the ACA and plans to apply for insurance as soon as possible.
“I have no child and I am employed,” she said, but she does not receive coverage.
Robin Hester, 39, a communications major at CCC, is one of the many students who have not sought insurance under the ACA because she already has coverage. Because Hester has a disability, that state had given her the option to choose from among three health insurances agencies. She picked United Health Care.
“This insurance comes with a once-a-year $10 co-pay,” she said.
Nonetheless, Hester knows much about the ACA but was not aware of the table with applications at the barbecue.
In March 2010, President Obama signed the ACA, a comprehensive health reform measure that has become known as Obamacare. The ACA is intended to protect patients and help citizens acquire affordable and accessible health care. Sign-ups for insurance began on Oct. 1, 2013 and the coverage will take effect on Jan. 1, 2014.
Akiya Gaines, 30, a CCC student, has a young daughter to look after, which is one of the reasons they have health care coverage. They receive New Jersey welfare health care coverage.
“I use HMO insurance, which comes from the state,” she said.
She got help from the state because her job doesn’t provide her with health insurance.