http://washingtonexaminer.com/article/2539881Michelle Obama's 14 Obamacare talking points for Thanksgiving dinner
By PAUL BEDARD | NOVEMBER 27, 2013 AT 10:16 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVzZ83N5y58First lady Michelle Obama not only wants Americans to consider signing up for Obamacare during their Thanksgiving get-togethers, she's also offering tips on how to talk about it and wants feedback.
In a fundraising note to supporters that also cheered her husband's economic and global warming efforts, the first lady urged supporters of the president's grassroots group Organizing for Action to share their Obamacare experiences.
“The folks at OFA will be collecting some of your stories to share on BarackObama.com. I can't wait to see what you have to say,” she wrote, adding: “P.S. -- As you spend time with loved ones this holiday season, be sure to talk with them about what health reform can mean for them -- OFA has some tips to help get the ball rolling.”
She even asked supporters to promise to talk about Obamacare. “Make a pledge to have a conversation with your family about health insurance this holiday season.”
Michelle Obama's 14 Thanksgiving dinner Obamacare talking points: PICK A TIME
Start early: Don’t wait until the last minute—be sure to start the conversation early!
Integrate the talk into family time: Take advantage of downtime after meals or between holiday activities to start your talk.
THINK ABOUT HOW YOU’LL BRING IT UP
Make it personal: Be honest about your feelings and why this is important to you.
Be persistent, but keep it positive: Tell them you care about their health, and focus on the benefits that come from knowing that you have health insurance.
CHOOSE A PLACE
Get creative: Think about what matters to your family member. Make it memorable!
Find a Quiet Place to Shop: You can start your conversation anywhere, but to shop for health coverage, you will want a more quiet, private place to make a phone call or use the internet.
CONVERSATION TIPS
Start by asking: “Have you thought about signing up for health insurance on the new marketplace?”
Offer to walk them through it: “Would you like to take some time with me to sign up right now?”
Ask them to make a plan, and commit to it: “When do you plan on signing up?”
Don’t forget to follow up: “Have you signed up yet?”
WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO COMMUNICATE:
Being covered helps you stay healthy and protects you in an emergency.
You can find a plan that fits your budget—financial assistance is available for those who qualify.
You get to choose the plan that’s right for you.
All the health insurance plans on the new marketplace provide free preventive care—including
routine checkups, vaccinations and screenings.
You can’t be denied insurance because of a preexisting condition, and lifetime limits are now banned, so your insurance will be there when you need it.
For your coverage to start January 1, you’ll need to sign up by December 23.
Open enrollment for plans in the marketplace is now through March, but getting started sooner is better.
