October 2, 2013

36th District

Reston, Virginia

 

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With two friends of long standing, former Senator John Chichester and former Delegate Vincent Callahan, both Republicans who have endorsed Terry McAuliffe!
    
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Delegate Ken Plum's
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Affordable Care Act  

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Another phase of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became effective this week. Although controversial among some politicians who refer to the Act as "Obamacare," it is proving extremely beneficial for those who have had limited or no access to health care. As the benefits of the program become more obvious, these same politicians may regret associating the President's name with a program that is on its way to making huge improvements in health care for Americans.

 

Even at such an early stage, the benefits of the new health care law are already becoming apparent. Health plans can no longer limit or deny benefits to children under 19 due to a pre-existing condition. Young adults under 26 can be eligible to be covered under their parents' health plan. Insurers can no longer cancel insurance coverage just because you made an honest mistake. You have the right to an appeal if a claim you made was denied. Lifetime limits are banned for all new insurance plans, and your premium dollars must be spent on health care and not administrative costs. Preventive health services will be covered in most instances.

 

Despite the advantages of the new health plan and its expanded coverage of Virginians, the Governor and the Republicans in the General Assembly have been dragging their feet in implementing the law. In an uncharacteristic move, the Governor chose to let the federal government run the health insurance exchanges in Virginia. The State Corporation Commission will perform some plan management functions. For individuals buying their own insurance, the exchange will provide comparable data on more than 30 different insurance plans from which individuals and families can make an informed decision. Already the exchanges are producing rates that are lower than insurance rates in the past.

 

The expansion of Medicaid to cover many more of the working poor who are currently not insured has been held up in Virginia for study and reforms. The commission studying the expansion is scheduled to report in December. It would be a terrible mistake for Virginia to not take back the federal dollars it pays to insure its very own citizens who need it most.

 

The ACA will bring incredibly important changes to health care in this country, but it is a complex law. To better understand it in more detail than I can provide here, I suggest that you visit the official U.S. Government site, healthcare.gov. The Virginia Health Care Foundation has important information on its site along with links to other sources; go to www.vhcf.org/data/health-reform/. The Kaiser Family Foundation has easy-to-understand charts on the Affordable Care Act at  http://kff.org/aca-consumer-resources/. The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis (www.thecommonwealthinstitute.org) has a number of studies on health care reform in Virginia.

 

It is time for Virginia's political leaders to embrace the reform or get out of the way so that its citizens can enjoy its benefits. 

 


ENROLL Virginia! has launched a toll-free phone number at 1-888-392-5132 and a website at www.enroll-virginia.com to help consumers find navigators, certified application counselors, and others who can provide unbiased and free one-on-one application assistance in every part of Virginia.   ENROLL Virginia! encourages all uninsured people to explore their insurance options through www.healthcare.gov. A toll-free call center is also available 24 hours a day/7 days a week now at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325.) Anyone who has found premiums unaffordable in the past and people with preexisting health conditions who have been turned away by insurers, may find many affordable options. People who already have insurance will not need to apply to the Marketplace. For example, people with affordable health insurance through their work, people who currently have Medicaid, Medicare, or Tricare, and others who are satisfied with their private health insurance can keep the coverage they have. In some cases, the working poor make too little money to qualify for the tax subsidies. Virginia is considering expanding its Medicaid program to provide health coverage to those people. Navigators will provide information about available safety net programs and services for Virginians who will remain uninsured and without access to health insurance coverage.   

 

Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28

 

Virginia ReportTune in to Ken's weekly television program, Virginia Report, on Reston Comcast Channel 28 for public service programming. Ken interviews state and local leaders who are making news by making a difference. Watch these upcoming programs:

 

TONIGHT - Wednesday, October 2 at 10:30 p.m. - Angela Cochran, American Cancer Society, "Cancer Prevention Study-3"      

   

Tuesday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 9 at 10:30 p.m. - Phil Lilienthal, Bo Thokozane and Bongani Mnisi, Global Camps Africa, "Empowering Children for an AIDS-free Tomorrow"

 

"Virginia Report" is also available online at www.rctv28.com/virginiareport.html for viewing on your computer or iPad.        

 

Bulletin Board

Having Your Say on Expansion of Medicaid in Virginia 
NAMI--the National Alliance on Mental Illness--of Virginia encourages support of expanding Medicaid in the Commonwealth to open up access to many adults who are uninsured and do not have mental health care. The Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission (MIRC) has opened a public comment forum that allows interested parties to respectfully weigh in with input on the decision of whether to expand Medicaid. The MIRC is a legislative commission that was established during the 2013 General Assembly session for the purposes of reviewing the current Virginia Medicaid and Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) programs and to determine whether Virginia should expand its Medicaid program to persons who are up to 133% of the federal poverty line. (A full list of members and further information about the MIRC can be found here: MIRC.) NAMI urges Virginians to take advantage of this powerful advocacy opportunity to raise concerns about access to mental health care and urge the MIRC to expand Medicaid in Virginia. Click here to go directly to the MIRC site to submit a comment. Deadline is Wednesday, October 16, 2013 before 5:00 p.m. to submit comments.  
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Holiday Donations for Families in Need
Cornerstones (formerly Reston Interfaith) offers two opportunities to share with your neighbors this holiday season.    
  --Thanksgiving Basket Food Drive: Collection dates and times are Thursday, November 21, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday, November 22, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Collection site is St. John Neumann Church, 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston. A list of needed items and more information are at www.cornerstonesva.org. For other questions contact Nate King at 571-323-9569 or nate.king@cornerstonesva.org. 
  --Gifts for Kids Drive: Collection dates and times are Thursday, December 5, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday, December 6, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, December 7, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Collection site is Cornerstones' main office, 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210, Reston. Please confirm your donation at www.cornerstonesva.org. For more information, contact Alacia Earley at 571-323-9568 or alacia.earley@cornerstonesva.org.  
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Fall in Virginia   orange-leaves-tree.jpg

Virginia is brilliant for fall getaways as 1.5 million acres of foliage burst into spectacular color. Click on the following links to plan a trip, see where the leaves are turning and find a fall event or activity:

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Absentee Voting 
Fairfax County registered voters who will be away from Fairfax County on Election Day, or who are unable to go to the polls because of illness or disability, may vote by absentee ballot. Eligible voters may vote in-person prior to Election Day or apply to have an absentee ballot mailed to them. The absentee voting schedule, including dates, times, locations and deadlines is available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/absentee.   
    

Calendar of Events      

 

Tomorrow: Walk to End Homelessness, Thursday, October 3 at noon, 1/2 mile walk begins at Mayflowers on the Promenade and goes to the Embry Rucker Community Shelter and back. Register online at www.hthwalks.org/goto/restonwalks.  

 

Virginia Immigrant Advocates Summit, Friday, October 4, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike in Annandale. Visit VA Immigrant Advocates Summit for details.       

  

Grassroots Advocacy Workshop, Saturday, October 5, noon to 3:00 p.m., at the Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center, 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas. Sponsored by the NOVA Chapter of the ACLU of Virginia. Learn about the Virginia legislative process, find out how to effectively advocate for civil liberties and discuss the top issues currently before the legislature. Space is limited.  For questions or to register, contact the Chapter at 703-360-1096 or novachapter@acluva.org.      

 

Sunday, October 6, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., "Our Moral Response to Climate Change: An Evening of Conversation and Action" at Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church,1500 N. Glebe Rd. Arlington. RSVP by emailing program@gwipl.org. More information is at Our Moral Response to Climate Change event.  

 

Medicare 101, Wednesday, October 9, 3:00-4:30 p.m., Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Call to register: 703-324-5205.   

 

Medicare 101, Thursday, October 10, 10:00 a.m. to noon, at Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2708 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Call to register: 703-281-0538, TTY 711.  

  

Thursday, October 10, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Newcomer's Night, Reston Association, for more information, visit Newcomer's Night.    

       

The Moral Imperative for Environmental Justice, Thursday, October 10, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. An interfaith "Community Conversation" co-sponsored with the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP). Jewish, Catholic and Protestant speakers will address the subject of environmental justice and its relationship with the faith community. At United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston. Contact Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice for more information.    

 

Oktoberfest Reston, October 11-13, Reston Town Center, 11900 Market Street. Details and schedule are at www.oktoberfestreston.com. 

 

The Governor's Conference on Energy, October 15-17, Greater Richmond Convention Center, sponsored by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Find more information at Governor's Conference on Energy.        

   

Policy Forum on Income Inequality, Thursday, October 17, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), 4301 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington. More information is at Policy Forum on Income Inequality .

  

Put the Zip on Homelessness Annual Jeans Day, Friday, October 18. Jeans Day Fairfax is an awareness campaign and fundraiser for ending homelessness in our community.  Register your business or donate online. For more information, visit Jeans Day Fairfax.   

 

James Monroe: Life and Legacy, Friday-Saturday, October 18 and 19, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the University of Mary Washington. The Papers of James Monroe and the James Monroe Museum will present a two-day symposium exploring the life and legacy of James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States. Monroe, a Virginia native, left a legacy of five decades of public service during the formative years of the United States, holding more public offices than any other U.S. president. Contact Heidi Stello at hcarlson@umw.edu or visit www.umw.edu/events for details. 

  

Saturday, October 19, Fall Stream Cleanup, 9:00 a.m. to noon. All ages are welcome. Rain or shine. Details are at stream cleanup.

  

Saturday, October 19, Reston Home Tour from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. With tickets purchased from Reston Museum, you can tour the inside of five outstanding private homes in Reston's unique neighborhoods. All proceeds benefit Reston Historic Trust which operates Reston Museum. Visit Reston Museum for details.

Medicare 101, Thursday, October 24, 7:00-8:30 p.m., George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. Call to register: 703-324-5205.      

  

Friday, October 25, Halloween House and Trick or Treat Trail, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Visit Halloween House & Trick or Treat Trail for more information and to purchase tickets.    

  

Festival on the Square, Sunday, October 27, noon to 4:00 p.m. Reston Heights, 11790 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. For details visit thefestivalonthesquare.com.    

  

Help the Homeless Community Walk, Sunday, October 27, at 1:30 p.m. (Check in and t-shirt pick-up at 1:00 p.m.) At Festival on the Square at Reston Heights, 11790 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. All walkers must preregister online at www.hthwalks.org/goto/communitywalks. 

  

Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot to vote by mail is October 29, 5:00 p.m.  Last day to vote in-person is November 2. More information is at Absentee Voting. If you are not registered, you can register online.

 

Fairfax Bike Summit, Saturday, November 2, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at George Mason University. The topic of the summit is the importance of bicycling to the future of Tysons and other transit-oriented, mixed-use communities in Fairfax. More information is at www.fabb-bikes.org.   


Tuesday, November 5, Election Day. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit State Board of Elections.  

  

Saturday, November 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Ninth Annual Fairfax County History Conference, "Voices for Freedom: Abolitionists, Oral History and Documenting the Past." At the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. For more information, contact Lynne Garvey-Hodge at 703-322-1811 or lynnegarveyhodge@verizon.net.   

 

Wednesday, November 13, Bullying and Violence Prevention Symposium at Fairfax Community Church, 11451 Braddock Road in Fairfax. The keynote speaker will present research on emotional regulation difficulties and evidence-based therapies, with a panel discussion on effectively training youth to understand and manage their emotions to reduce conflict and aggression. More information is at www.fairfaxyouth.org.  

    

Saturday, November 16, A Taste of Fall with FACETS, at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Register at www.FacetsCares.org. 

  

Governor's Transportation Conference, December 4-6, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 North Third Street, Richmond. Visit www.vatranscon.com for further information and to sign up to receive conference updates.       

 
In This Issue
Commentary..Affordable Care Act"
"Virginia Report" on Comcast Channel 28
Bulletin Board
Check Your Calendar
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News
703-758-9733 * kenplum@aol.com * www.kenplum.com 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia e-News is authorized by Kenneth R. Plum
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