Get the facts: Who's afraid of Obamacare?

On January 3, 2008, I registered as a Democrat so I could caucus for then candidate Obama. During the evening, as voters discussed which candidates to support, I managed to convince a younger Edwards-leaning voter to join the Obama camp. Our discussion centered on our desire to see healthcare reform instituted.

At the time my argument was that Edwards’ more aggressive populism would lead to a divisive and unsuccessful effort on health care. I argued Obama’s history as a community organizer and legislator willing to work with all sides would be necessary to pass healthcare reform.

Fast forward to September 2013, and the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, is law. And October 1 marks the beginning of the enrollment period for individuals seeking health insurance via the new insurance exchanges. Unfortunately, opposition to what is now the law of this land remains, based largely on a campaign of disinformation from conservative legislators and media.

So what’s there to be afraid of?

Is it the fact that children up to age 26 can remain on their parents’ insurance plan? I know plenty of families, including my own, that have gladly accessed this feature of the law.

Is it the fact that small businesses can now access tax credits to help them cover the cost of an insurance plan for employees?

Is it the fact that insurance companies must adjust their rates to ensure 80 percent of premiums pay for actual health care expenses, rather than overhead or profits? This has caused insurers to issue rebate checks and premium increases to slow. If you haven’t noticed it on your policy yet, you soon will.

Is it the fact that you can now go get an annual physical with no out-of-pocket expenses because health insurance must cover well checks at 100 percent?

Is it the fact that if you have a pre-existing condition you can no longer be turned down for insurance and your coverage cannot be cut off at a preset limit?

Is it the fact that this plan operates with private insurance? It is not a single payer or socialized system. In fact, this plan is based on one originally developed by the conservative Heritage Foundation and later used by Governor Mitt Romney to develop Massachusetts’ state health insurance plan.

Or have you simply been listening to media talking heads and political opponents of the Obama administration without bothering to find out for yourself what’s in the law?

I was pretty pleased in July when I took my daughter in for a physical. Although the billing clerk noted my plan had a deductible, I explained that under the ACA I owed no out-of-pocket expenses. “If I’m wrong, you can bill me,” I told her.

When the Explanation of Benefits came from my insurer, I was pleased to read, “Amount you owe: 0.”

So what benefits of this law are you missing out on? Learn more at www.healthcare.gov.