When Tonya Stafford was told she had a benign tumor in her brain, she had more to worry about than brain surgery and radiation.
Stafford didn’t have health insurance, and when all was said and done, she had racked up $80,000 in medical bills and was working 66 hours a week to try and pay it off. In 2005, she filed for bankruptcy.
Nine years after her diagnosis, Stafford, 49, was one of several speakers at an informational forum on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Tuesday night at the Hall of Industry in Little Rock that drew more than 100 people. The Arkansas Community Organizations and the Arkansas Community Institute sponsored the forum, which discussed the future of the Affordable Care Act and the “private option” on the low- to moderate-income community.
Stafford, who is now on Medicaid, agreed to share her story because she wanted people to know what it’s like without insurance.
“It’s rough,” she said.
Sandra Cook, a consumer-assistance specialist for the Arkansas Insurance Department, gave a presentation explaining what has already changed as well as what to expect from the new law. She was optimistic about the Affordable Care Act, saying she did not think it would fail, although there may be glitches along the way. She said everyone working with it is learning as they go.
“We’re building the airplane as we’re in the air,” she said.
Community members asked questions after Cook’s presentation until they were cut off about an hour and a half into the forum because of time constraints. Many were curious as to the penalties for not enrolling and how eligibility, costs and coverage options applied to their specific employment, family or disability situations.
One woman asked how the government would find out if people weren’t insured. Cook said anyone not required to file an income tax would not be found out.
Others, like Rubie McDuffie, were interested in how the Affordable Care Act would apply to recent retirees.
McDuffie, 60, called the forum “wonderful.”
“It was very, very informative,” said McDuffie, who said she came because she recently retired and has been struggling to afford health insurance. “Now I can actually get something I can afford.”
Various other state agencies were also at the forum to answer questions and help people get enrolled.
Dickson Bell, with the Arkansas Community Organizations, said the organization pushed for the Affordable Care Act and was pleased to see it pass. He said the group also works with housing, banking and police protection.
“We try to keep up with things in the community,” he said.
Arkansas, Pages 10 on 08/01/2013