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Local people find out how new insurance landscape will affect them

July 23, 2010

Health pros offer look at reform

By Matt Hughes mhughes@timesleader.com
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WILKES-BARRE – The terms “health” and “happy hour” are seldom used in the same sentence, but one organization on Thursday used happy hour as a lure to entice locals to learn more about health care.

The Pennsylvania Health Access Network, a nonpartisan coalition of organizations seeking to expand health care access and promote health care reform policy, sponsored a Health Care Reform Happy Hour at the Arena Bar and Grill.

The group purchased appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks for anyone interested in attending and learning more about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the health care reform bill passed by Congress in December and signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23.

“It is the law now, but many people don’t know what’s in it,” organizer Alison Hirsh of Williamsport said.

Health care expert Dr. Valerie Arkoosh discussed and answered questions about how the act affects patients, those without health care, businesses and senior citizens, and outlined when its various provisions go into effect.

Austin Ford of Mountain Top said he has had trouble finding health care since he was diagnosed with a pre-existing blood-sugar condition two years ago and attended to learn how the act will impact his eligibility for affordable health care.

“Now, I don’t even have the money to get tested,” Ford said. “Of course, if it were a reasonable cost per month I would buy health care.”

Norm Gavlick, president of Gavlick Personnel, Kingston, said he does not support the legislation but attended to learn more about how it will affect his business.

“We’re open to hearing other sides of the issue and some new thoughts on it. We’re not experts,” Gavlick said.

Arkoosh is president of the National Physicians Alliance, a professional organization representing more than 20,000 doctors that supports the health care reform law. She also teaches at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia.

Matt Hughes, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7210.

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