Affordable Care Act Resource Center
I believe that all Southern Arizonans deserve access to affordable, quality health care. The Affordable Care Act, signed into law in March 2010, puts in place health insurance reforms, most of which will go into effect by 2014. I was not in the House of Representatives in March 2010 and did not vote for the Affordable Care Act. I appreciate the benefits the law provides, such as closing the donut hole for seniors and not allowing insurance companies to deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions. But I also believe we must take steps to fix pieces of the law that do not work for Southern Arizona seniors, middle class families and small businesses.
As your representative, I am committed to working across the aisle with my colleagues in Congress to fix those parts of the law that need improvement. That’s why I voted on July 17 with a bipartisan majority in the House to delay the insurance mandates on small businesses and individuals. This delay will give employers with more than 50 employees as well as individuals without insurance much-needed time and flexibility to meet the requirements of the law.
Additionally, I have signed onto legislation that will eliminate the annual tax on health insurance to protect families and small businesses from higher insurance premiums. I also have cosponsored legislation that will repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board to ensure seniors have access to the care they need and cosponsored another bill that will repeal the annual tax on medical devices that threatens jobs and innovation. After hearing from Green Valley seniors, I also introduced a bill to protect seniors from increased healthcare costs due to the law.
Be assured that I am committed to making our health care system work for Southern Arizona and will continue to work closely with all Southern Arizonans on policies that help to reduce the cost of health care for our families and small businesses, promote the development of new cures and life-saving treatments and strengthen Medicare for current and future generations. I know that many Southern Arizonans have questions about how this law impacts them, and where they can go to access the benefits for which they qualify. Below are some resources to help answer those questions and ensure that you get the information you need.
My Affordable Care Act Specialist
If you have any questions, please contact my office's ACA specialist, Kendra, at 520-881-3588 or at AZ02ACA@mail.house.gov
Healthcare.gov 24/7 help line: 1-800-318-2596
Small business help line: 1-800-706-7893
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I access the Health Insurance Marketplace?
- Why should I have health coverage?
- What if someone doesn't have health coverage in 2014?
- What are the different types of health insurance?
- How do I choose Marketplace insurance?
- What's the difference between Marketplace health plans and other private plans?
- How can I get ready to enroll in the Marketplace?
- How do I get help enrolling in the Marketplace?
- Will I qualify for lower out-of-pocket costs?
- Will I qualify for lower costs on monthly premiums?
- What if I'm self-employed?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What if I have a pre-existing health condition?
- What do American Indians and Alaska Natives need to know about the Marketplace?
- What if I need coverage that starts before January 2014?
- What key dates do I need to know?
Useful Information
General ACA information: The main website for the Affordable Care Act is www.healthcare.gov. On the website, you can find information on topics such as as the provisions of the Affordable Care Act and the basics about health insurance. A series of fact sheets on the health care law can also be found at http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/.
Marketplace information: At www.healthcare.gov/marketplace, you can find useful information about the upcoming Marketplaces and the benefits they will provide.
Veterans and families information: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a website on the ACA for veterans and their dependents at http://www.va.gov/health/aca/
Small businesses: The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) may be helpful for small businesses: https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace/shop/#state=arizona
Businesses: Unsure about how the health care law will impact your business? Get answers to your questions with the new health care tool designed for businesses at business.usa.gov/healthcare.
Southern Arizona’s ACA Assistors, organizations that can help people learn about their insurance options:
- Chiricahua Community Health Center in Douglas (520) 364-3285
- El Rio Santa Cruz Neighborhood Health Center in Tucson (520) 624-7750
- United Community Health Center – Maria Auxiliadora in Green Valley (520) 625-4401
- (PCAP) Pima County Access Program: (520) 694-0418 or go online to mypcap.org
AHCCCS enrollment and Medicaid expansion are under the jurisdiction of the state of Arizona. For more information, please contact the governor’s office at (520) 628-6580 or online at healthearizona.org. If you are an individual and you make less than about $16,000 a year, or a family of 4 earning less than $45,000 a year, you may qualify for the newly-expanded AHCCCS coverage in Arizona. You can apply after October 1 here:
https://www.healthearizona.org/app/Default.aspx or through any DES Office. You can print out the application here: http://www.azahcccs.gov/applicants/application/AcuteCare.aspx?ID=acute
Tax Credits and other Provisions under ACA: For information on tax credits, etc., constituents can visit irs.gov/aca.