11-21-13 healthcare reform panel

Fond du Lac Agnesian Healthcare officials say there is going to be pain for some people when healthcare reform begins in January…but hopefully for only a short period of time.  Agnesian hosted a panel discussion on the topic Wednesday night and answered questions from the public.  Agnesian president and CEO, Steve Little, tells WFDL news there are a lot of unanswered questions about healthcare reform and individuals want to be sure they are taking the right steps to be ready.  "The biggest concern is do I have to have insurance and if I do have to have insurance then where can I get it and how much is it going to cost?"   Little says Agnesian has been working with their associates to help patients and families navigate a maze of information.  The main healthcare reform features include requiring everybody obtain health coverage or pay a penalty, eliminating certain insurance restrictions such as requirements relating to pre-existing conditions, and requiring employers with more than 50 full time employees to provide affordable health coverage.