We're now just three weeks away from the healthcare online exchanges going live. These are the portals that will allow many of the uninsured to gain access to care, via President Obama's health care reform bill passed in 2010.
Organizing for America (OFA), the community organizing project of the Democratic National Committee, is now working with coalition partners such the American Academy of Pediatrics and Doctors for America to host information meetings about the exchanges and the law itself in Hillsborough County libraries over the next six weeks.
The Orlando Sentinel reported last month that 10 insurance companies have received federal approval to sell Floridians health plans on the federally assisted health exchange, but insurance commissioner Kevin McCarthy says that not all companies will sell plans in all 67 Florida counties.
[jump]Open enrollment begins October 1.
Listed below are the meetings that have just been announced:
Monday, Sept. 16
5:30-6:30 pm
Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St, Plant City, FL 33563
Ione Townsend, ARNP, presenter
and:
6:00-7:00 pm
Seffner-Mango Library, 410 N Kingsway Seffner, FL 33584
Geri Rhodes-Smith, Public Information Specialist, presenter
Monday, Sept. 23
7:15-8:15 pm
Jan Platt Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave, Tampa, FL 33611
Mark W. Morris, MD, presenter
(More on next page)
Thursday, Sept. 26
7:00-8:00 pm
Upper Tampa Bay Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd, Tampa, Fl 33626
Mark W. Morris, MD, presenter
Spanish translation will be available
Monday, Sept. 30
7:00-8:00 pm
Lutz Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Rd, Lutz, FL 33549
Mark W. Morris, MD, presenter
Thursday, Oct. 3
3:00-4:00 pm
Robert Saunders Library, 1505 N. Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
Geri Rhodes-Smith, Public Information Specialist, presenter
Monday, Oct. 7
7:00-8:00 pm
Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St, Plant City, FL 33563
Ione Townsend, ARNP, presenter
Thursday, Oct. 10
4:30-5:30 pm
Riverview Library, 10509 Riverview Dr. Riverview, FL 33578
Sherri Gay, ACA Eligibility Enrollment Specialist Supervisor, presenter
Monday, Oct. 14
7:00-8:00 pm
Temple Terrace Library, 202 Bullard Parkway, Temple Terrace, FL 33617
Ione Townsend, ARNP, presenter
Thursday, Oct. 17
3:00-4:00 pm
Blythe C. Andrews Library, 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33610
Mark W. Morris, MD, presenter
Monday, Oct. 21
7:00-8:00 pm
Southshore Regional Library,15816 Beth Shields Way, Sun City Center, FL 33573
Mark W. Morris, MD, presenter