SHOW AUDIO:  https://thinkwingradio.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/kpft_140219_2200-obamacare-getcoveredamerica.mp3

Welcome to Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig (@ThinkwingRadio), a listener call-in show (every Wednesday night from 10-11PM CT) on KPFT-FM 90.1 (Houston). My engineer and co-conversationalist is Egberto Willies (@EgbertoWillies).

For the purposes of this show, I operate on two mottoes:

• You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts;
• An educated electorate is a prerequisite for a democracy.

Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig is usually a call-in show. Whether you’re listening live on the radio or on the internet from anywhere in the world, you can call in at 713-526-5738. (Long distance charges may apply.) 

GUEST: Mario Castillo, Regional Organizing Lead for www.EnrollAmerica.org, the parent organization for www.GetCoveredAmerica.org.   

TOPIC: Signing up for healthcare via the Affordable Care Act (aka, ‘Obamacare’)

“Insurance: If you don’t need it, it’s the stupidest thing you ever bought. If you do need it, it’s the smartest thing you ever did.”

When I was in sales, I used that line a lot. It worked because it’s true, and I’ve got plenty of personal stories to back it up.

Older adults, the self-employed and people with families know and understand the need for affordable health care, but it’s not always available to them; or hasn’t been ’til now.

Young singles (the so-called “young invincibles”, age 18-34) can be a harder ‘sell’.

Health coverage is one of the best things young adults can do to protect their future. Nearly half – 43% – of all Houstonians between the ages of 18 and 34 lack health insurance. But unplanned medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy (about 65% of all personal bankruptcies are due to medical bills), and young adults who are uninsured miss out on regular check-ups and access to a doctor’s office. Before the enrollment period for the new health insurance marketplace ends on March 31, find out about new options that are available to you and financial assistance that’s here.

Obamacare does away with lifetime coverage limits, exclusions for pre-existing conditions, rates based on gender, and more. Many applicants will be eligible for substantial subsidies, with rates sometimes capped as a percentage of income.

During this show, listeners can call in and get answers to questions and guidance to where answers can be found. We’ll also discuss why affordable health insurance is important even to young, single healthy adults.

NOTE: This post is subject to update before and after the show.

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