U.S President Barack Obama gave a speech to the Californians announcing his healthcare policy changes effective October 1.
"If you're one of 6 million Californians or tens of millions Americans who don't currently have health insurance, you'll soon be able to buy quality, affordable care just like everybody else," said Obama during his speech in San Jose, CA.
Despite the criticisms that the Affordable Care Act is not really affordable, the president was firm that it is valuable to the Americans. The act, also known as Obamacare, was implemented since 2010 regulating the healthcare system of the country. T
he objective was to increase the coverage and cut the overall costs of health care to make it affordable for the general public. To date, there are already 21 provisions under this law with 10 of it already in place and 11 future-dated. Full provision will be completed by 2020.
The provision that will be implemented on October 1 will allow people looking to buy individual health insurance to enroll in subsidized plans offered through state-based exchanges, with coverage beginning in January 2014.
California has the most Americans with about 12 percent of the U.S population as of 2012 based on the U.S Census Bureau database. The government believes that the state will play a significant role on the success of Obamacare if all uninsured will be able to purchase a healthcare plan.
Based on the records of California Healthcare Foundation in 2011, California had the most number of health uninsured people in the country and it continues to rise. Only 22 percent of people under age 65 have a healthcare insurance. To date, about 6 million residents don’t have insurance.
The healthcare supporters expect to have an additional 1 million enrollment for healthcare once the provision begins on Oct. 1. Opponents believe it's unlikely as the insurance prices will increase before then. Since May 23, it has been reported that the prices have increased by up to 146 percent which will cost a 40-year-old to pay between $40 to $300 per month for a mid-level plan, depending on the income and subsidies.
