Assemblywoman Galef Hosts a Discussion on Health Care Exchanges

Assemblywoman Galef Hosts a Discussion on Health Care Exchanges

 The Business Council of Westchester Gives Tips to Small Businesses and Others about the New York State of Health Exchange

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef discusses how the Affordable Care Act is rolling out in Westchester and other counties, with John Ravitz, the Executive Vice President and COO of the Business Council of Westchester and James “Jamie” Schutzer, the president-elect of the New York State Association of Health Underwriters.  Ravitz, who began preparing businesses for their role in providing affordable health care three years ago, describes the process in very positive terms. The Business Council helps businesses understand their responsibilities to part time and seasonal employees as well as full time ones, and has become an official navigator as well for individuals who need to understand their options.  He is very sympathetic to all the players who are engaged in the gigantic job of ensuring 3,000,000 uninsured New Yorkers.   

Schutzer describes the role of brokers who are helping businesses find a good fit with the many new policies that are available and who are in need of help understanding the legal requirements of the new law. Both Ravitz and Schutzer were clear that New York State is doing better with its website than the federal government.  Due to the many unknowns about how many young healthy people will join up, how the tax incentives will play out, and how successful the new companies coming into the market will be, they think it is way too soon to think about changes.  They reassure worried New Yorkers as they describe the many checks and balances in the New York system.

“It is helpful to get the positive perspective of people working to make the new system effective in our state,” said Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, “and I encourage anyone looking for more information about participating in the exchange or just interested in how the process is rolling out, to tune in to my show.”

Tune in to cable television on the following days and times to learn more.

 “Speak Out: Discussion of New York State Health Care Exchanges” airs as follows:

Cablevision

 Airs : December 11, 18, 25, and January 1

 Ossining and Peekskill airs on Channel 15: Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m.

(Briarcliff, Ossining, Scarborough, Buchanan, Cortlandt, Croton, Garrison, Montrose, Peekskill, Philipstown South, Verplanck)

Wappingers Falls airs on Channel 21: Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m.

(Cold Spring, Philipstown North)

Yorktown airs on Channel 74: Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m.

(Lake Peekskill, Putnam Valley)

Comcast

 Airs: December 11, 18, 25

 Carmel, Kent, Mahopac & Putnam Valley Channel 8: Wednesdays at 7:30