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Biden administration moves to protect Alaska wilderness; opening statements and first witness in NY trial; SCOTUS hears Starbucks case, with implications for unions on the line; rural North Carolina town gets pathway to home ownership.

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The Supreme Court weighs cities ability to manage a growing homelessness crisis, anti-Israeli protests spread to college campuses nationwide, and more states consider legislation to ban firearms at voting sites and ballot drop boxes.

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Wyoming needs more educators who can teach kids trade skills, a proposal to open 40-thousand acres of an Ohio forest to fracking has environmental advocates alarmed and rural communities lure bicyclists with state-of-the-art bike trail systems.

Affordable Care Act for Seniors: Benefits Without Obligations

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Tuesday, December 17, 2013   

SALT LAKE CITY – With the rollout of the health care marketplaces, some senior citizens are raising concerns about the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

But a recent report by the Center for Rural Affairs shows that for many seniors, it has led to more benefits – without additional obligations.

Author Jon Bailey, director of research and analysis at the Center, says most of the provisions that directly affect seniors have been in effect since 2010, and they center on enhanced benefits – such as preventive care and treatment.

"More support for purchasing prescription drugs, some wellness and health benefits for senior citizens,” he points out. “So, most of the effects of the Affordable Care Act on senior citizens are positive, without any real requirement that they do much different than they're doing now."

Bailey adds these added benefits are especially important in rural areas, where the population is older and residents generally receive fewer medical screenings and preventive-care procedures.

As far as the laws just coming online, such as the requirement that everyone has health insurance, Bailey says seniors really aren't impacted because they have Medicare.

"Medicare meets that mandate, so they're set,” he explains. “They're covered. They don't have to worry about going on to the healthcare.gov website or any of the other state-based marketplaces.

“And so, they don't have to worry. As long as they're getting Medicare, they're set."

Bailey says that despite early warnings about the ACA's impact on Medicare Advantage plans, rather than declining, the number of seniors enrolling actually is greater than estimates.




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