ACA health care enrollment opens Nov. 1

The Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Period for 2018 coverage begins November 1st, 2017 and ends December 15th, 2017. If you are not covered by health insurance, this is the one time of year you can enroll in a plan. If you are covered by a Marketplace plan, open enrollment allows you to evaluate other plans and switch if another one suits you better. Even if you don’t switch plans, you should...

Maybe I’m paranoid, but it seems like local Congress members are out to get me

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times By nature, I’m not really a paranoid guy, but it is starting to look like U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, U.S. Reps. Ryan Costello (R-6), Pat Meehan (R-7) and Lloyd Smucker (R-16) have it out personally for me and my family. Okay maybe not personally — I’ve had cordial, even friendly relationships with some of them, and certainly interesting and insightful interviews...

Costello, Smucker appear to buck Trump, back bipartisan healthcare plan

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Two local congressman — Lloyd Smucker and Ryan Costello — say a moderate, bipartisan group of House members they belong to, the Problem Solvers Caucus, have reached an agreement on a package of fixes for the Affordable Care Act, a package that could provide a framework for a true bipartisan fix for the healthcare marketplace. After the U.S. Senate rejected...

Chesco Congress members split on ACA repeal vote

Updated 5:10 p.m.: Adds comment from Patrick Meehan By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Chester County’s Congressional delegation split Thursday in a closely contested vote to pass the American Health Care Act — the controversial bill that would repeal some sections of the Affordable Care Act, a vote that will likely turn the 2018 Congressional Elections into a referendum on healthcare, much...

Costello, Meehan dodge bullet on health care bill failure

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times In the end — for at least two of Chester County’s members of Congress — the decision to withdraw the American Health Care Act, the Republican’s much touted replacement for the Affordable Care Act (known more commonly as Obamacare) may have ended up as the best of a lot of bad possible outcomes. Both Ryan Costello (R-6) and Pat Meehan (R-7) said following...

Chesco Congress members feeling heat on health care vote

At last count, Meehan, Costello and Smucker appear to be yes votes By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times The fate of a controversial health care reform bill may end up in the hands of local members of the U.S. Congress — as two of them were seen as being on the fence on the bill but now said to be leaning toward “yes” votes — as the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans scramble...

Letter: Health coverage a necessity for all

To the Editor: In his first day of office, President Trump has already begun to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. As a citizen, a resident of southern Chester County, and a leader of a non-profit providing health care to the underserved, I must speak out on the critical role that having health insurance plays in the success of individuals, families, and communities.  I’d like to first speak...

Need Help Applying for Health Insurance? Contact La Comunidad Hispana

    KENNETT SQUARE – Nearby help is available to apply for health insurance on the Affordable Care Act Market Place this fall.  La Comunidad Hispana (LCH) in Kennett Square maintains a staff of Certified Applications Counselors and Navigators to help with questions and applications from all members of the community. 

Op/Ed: The Affordable Care Act works

By Joe Sestak Joe Sestak I’m reminded that it was five years ago last month that Congress voted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law, promising to control costs and offer better coverage to more Americans. Back then, many argued that the ACA would be a massive failure with disastrous consequences for our state and bankrupt our nation. They claimed that the law was too...

Op/Ed: Protecting patients from one-size-fits-all healthcare

By Mian A. Jan, M.D. Mian A. Jan As a board certified cardiologist and a practicing physician for over 25 years in Chester County with a diverse group of patients from a variety of different backgrounds, I believe no two patients are the same. I strive to give the very best care depending on the patient’s specific case. I apply a one-on-one relationship model to the treatment and care of all...