To the editor:

The bumpy roll-out of the Affordable Care Act web site has resulted in fear about the program. The program provides a single marketplace wherein a person who does not have affordable employer-provided health insurance can compare policies offered by several private insurance companies.

Whichever level is purchased, certain minimum standards must be met. For those who meet income guidelines, the federal government will subsidize a portion of the premium.

Everyone is required to be insured for healthcare, Even if one chooses to avoid insurance, there is still a fine to be paid, so at least everyone is paying something into the system. There is no reason why someone who refuses to take responsibility for his own health care expenses should expect the rest of us to pick up the tab.

The ACA also offers a vast expansion in the Medicaid program for those states who choose to avail themselves of it.

Wisconsin has chosen not to, but Michigan stands to gain about 2 billion federal dollars a year.

The new Medicaid guidelines will cover individuals and families with incomes up to 133 percent (sic) of the poverty line.

For individuals, it’s about $15,000/year, and for a family of 4, it’s about $31,000/yr. Approximately 470,000 struggling Michiganders will benefit in this way, and of course, the rest of us will benefit as well.

Under Medicaid, mental health treatment will save us about $200 million per year in mental health services that are currently paid out from the general fund.

Unfortunately, the Michigan legislature chose not to develop its own marketplace, so the uninsured in our state must use the federal website, or call the federal number, or simply visit your insurance agent. Patience will pay off in the end with better coverage and peace of mind.

Even young people can get cancer or crash a snowmobile.

Insurance companies must spend at least 80 percent of your premium on healthcare, and must publicly justify their actions if they want to raise your premium by 10 percent or more.

Many preventive services (flu shots, mammograms, birth control, etc) will have no copay, and the “donut hole” for seniors will be closed gradually over the next few years.

Any program is intimidating at first, but please check it out if you are uninsured, or underinsured.

Lola Johnson

KINGSFORD