Impact of ‘Obamacare’ largely unknown, WUHS superintendent says

By Dave Fidlin

Correspondent

      A new year is upon us, and new state and federal legislation is on the books.

      One of the most recognized new laws, of course, is President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA).

      The much-publicized snags concerning ACA legislation and a sometimes-murky understanding of the numerous provisions within the law have left individuals and employers scrambling to stay up-to-date on the latest information.

      Superintendent Keith Brandstetter discussed the ACA and how it applies to the Waterford Union High School (WUHS) district at a School Board meeting Dec. 18.

      With 28,000 pages of guidelines – and counting – attached to the new law, Brandstetter said, “Things are changing on a weekly basis.”

      Brandstetter outlined some of the basic provisions of the law, including a guarantee of coverage for pre-existing conditions, young adults being allowed to stay on parents’ plans through age 26 and a requirement that maternity coverage be provided.

      Many of the major provisions of the ACA were phased in Jan. 1, but Brandstetter said there is a full calendar year to consider different coverage options because of a change in law and a revision in the phase-in plan.

      WUHS’ existing health insurance plan for its employees expires June 30, and Brandstetter said he still is uncertain of what the district’s coverage options are from July 1 to Dec. 31, before full implementation needs to be in place on Jan. 1, 2015.

      “We’re monitoring it,” Brandstetter said. “But it’s always changing. As we move forward, this really hasn’t been a smooth transition.”

      Several board members chimed in about the ACA. Don Engler inquired how the district would respond if coverage costs became prohibitive for the district.

      “If that were to happen, we wouldn’t be the ones dealing with it,” Brandstetter said, in response. “But the reality is you can only change the plans so much, so we’d have to figure some things out.”

      An abundance of questions continue to flow into the new year, but Brandstetter said he and other district office staffers will continue to stay abreast of the new law.