In the wake of November's election, many Californians are wondering how the states and the federal government might change much-debated Patient Protection and Affordable Care (PPACA). "Repeal and replace" seemed to be the platform of most GOP candidates, yet California saw little change in the guard with Barbara Boxer continuing in the U.S. Senate and Jerry Brown moving into the governor's mansion. Agents and brokers in particular may be asking how all this will affect their ability to earn their bread and butter. How can you maintain your client base in the aftermath of this recent election?
Leading the charge
California is a progressive state when it comes to health care, and was one of the first states to initiate action after the reform bill passed into law: California set up a health exchange through which individuals and small business can utilize "one-stop-shopping" for the best that health care money can buy. Some provisions have already been implemented, and consumers have, for the most part, viewed them positively.
Parents are now allowed to carry their children until they turn 26, and preventive care (e.g., mammograms) is now available to everyone at no cost. Also, those younger than 19 are no longer subject to exclusions on preexisting conditions. These measures have already become law and are not subject to any kind of repeal – and can all be very positive events that agents and brokers can use as selling points, along with the fact that the increase in employer cost is minimal when compared with the value they can pass along to employees.
While many GOP candidates made PPACA repeal a focus of their campaigns, recent polls show that people are more concerned about the economy and jobs than they are about health care issues. According to the polls, most Californians were split down the middle when it came to their views on health care reform. It's likely that California will continue its already well-blazed trail toward health care reform; the big question is, "Will funding be available?"
Stymied by the government
It's true that the state's recent elections may have ushered in little change. By contrast, enormous changes on the federal stage could still have some effect here at home. New Congressional leadership could try to repeal the act, but then President Obama still has the right to veto anything that comes out of Congress. It's more likely that funding for various programs will be at risk – something that could prevent states from successfully implementing reform programs that rely on federal funds in order to move forward.
