Keene’s Planned Parenthood is currently giving free personal information sessions and guidance regarding health care and the Affordable Care Act for anyone who feels they might need help figuring things out.
Health care has been an ongoing issue for years now for many people. Many outstanding figures, for example, President Barack Obama, have tried to come up with a solution that will last.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a federal law that was passed March 23, 2010 by Congress, as stated by the State of New Hampshire Insurance Department. Countless people refer to this act as “Obamacare.” The process for individuals can be confusing which is where outside sources step in.
Planned Parenthood is a sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocates for it’s communities. There are six centers in New Hampshire and one in Keene.
Haley Erdbrink/ Equinox Staff:
Planned Parenthood in Keene is located at 8 Middle Street.
Jennifer Frizzell is Planned Parenthood’s New Hampshire senior policy advisor. She has been working with P.P. for a little over ten years now. She explained that P.P. was one of two bids for N.H. to become trained Navigators. This would make the representatives eligible to advise the public of the upcoming health care changes and help give them a solution, she added.
The sessions are on a one-on-one basis where the navigators look at the existing plan and help the client create a new plan, stated Frizzell. She added the navigators also inform the clients of what they can and can’t expect as well as provide them with multiple options to choose from to make their best decision.
Although Planned Parenthood is known to help young adults in their reproductive years, Frizzell stated they have had a large range of clients who have taken advantage of the health care services they are providing. Frizzell estimated around 2,000 individuals have already used the program since it started back in October.
“We are funded through August 2014,” Frizzell said. “The first enrollment period ends March 31 of this year to receive insurance in 2014, then it’s getting applicants ready for the process for the following year.” She added that with how politicized the act has become, it can be very overwhelming and confusing. “We want to cut through that confusion and have them feel comfortable with making an accurate decision for their families.”
Keene State College Director of Health and Wellness, Christine Burke, said KSC’s health department does not deal with insurance.
“Keene is not a hard waiver school, which means we don’t have an insurance plan to offer students,” Burke stated. KSC provides information and updates to students through its website to educate them on options, Burke said.
“The problem we have is we get students that need more care than we can offer,” Burke stated. She added they can strongly recommend services to students but cannot conduct some necessary procedures.
Junior at KSC, Henry Bendel, recently had to apply for the Affordable Care Act. He stated the process took quite a while.
“I spent about two hours getting on to the website just so I could put in my information, which I may add, is probably the easiest part of the whole process,” Bendel said. He stated that after you submit the form it takes about two weeks to get your results.
“After I got my results, a phone chain began,” he added. The process would only work if the representatives actually answered the phones, Bendel said.
“Some don’t have another option if they are not on their parents’ plan,” Bendel explained. He added by saying the whole process was a huge hassle.
Bendel, Burke and Frizzell all stated that staying on parent plans until an individual turns 26 years of age, is the best option.
Making a decision about health care is hard to do on your own, which is why Planned Parenthood trained to become Navigators for the public, Frizzell added.
Haley Erdbrink can be contacted at herdbrink@keene-equinox.com