Will Uninsured, Low Income Residents Benefit from Affordable Care Act?

CEO of Local Health Center says it depends on the plan's premium

By Kandiss Crone

CREATED Jun. 28, 2012

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  • Is signing up for insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act more affordable for the lower income? Video by kmtv.com

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Omaha, NE - Like thousands of lower-income Nebraskans, 29-year-old Jenny Tigani is uninsured. "It hasn't been good without insurance, I don't like not having insurance. I like knowing if something does happen to me, break my leg or fall down, I can go to the doctor," Jenny Tigani said.

When Tigani needs care, she normally goes to the One World Community Health Center, where patients pay a small fee to see a doctor. The average cost is only about 30-40 dollars each visit. So is signing up for insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act more affordable for the lower income? One World CEO Andrea Skolkin says it'll depend on the plan premium.
 
"Even if it's a $200 a month premium, when you're living at $27,000 a year, that's not an expense you're gonna want to afford," Andrea Skolkin said.
 
Skolkin says the Affordable Care Act would not only be a big financial relief but a life-saver for low income people with terminal illnesses. "For instance if you need dialysis or very expensive treatment. They're not getting it so ultimately they pass away," Skolkin said.
 
Diabetes runs in Jenny Tigani's family. She believes the affordable care act gives her much-needed access to healthcare that will keep her in good health.    
 
"I've been very lucky nothing's happened to me as far as being really sick or an injury, so I've been really lucky."
 
Uninsured Americans who do not get health coverage will have to pay a fine.