Forget the arguments about wether it's a good idea or not, the Affordable Care Act is here and it may help you.
We have taken the guesswork out of the Affordable Care Act for you, so you can focus on what may benefit you.
According to an article on Cosmopolitan.com, starting in 2014, the law will require most people to buy insurance or risk paying a fine ($95). You may come to find you can probably take advantage of some benefits you couldn't before.
Here's some great perks about the Affordable Care Act, especially for women:
1) You can stay on your parent/guardian health policy until you turn 26.
Before the Affordable Care Act, most insurers prohibited young adults over the age of 21 to stay on their parent/guardian's policy. You can even be covered if you are married (although your spouse will not be covered). This may be nothing new to you, because it went into effect in 2010, but it might surprise you that it is indeed part of "Obamacare."
2) Free birth control, for all!
Nearly 30 million women have already benefited from free preventative services since 2012. This includes services such as screenings for diabetes, HIV, contraceptives, family planning counseling and checkups. With the Affordable Care Act, all FDA-approved birth control methods are covered without a co-pay.
3) You may be eligible for government discounts on insurance.
Beginning October 1, 2013 health insurance exchanges will begin online in every state that will go into effect on January 1, 2014. The exchanges allow us to compare prices and benefits to help find an insurance plan you can afford. But, if you feel you still can't afford the insurance plan, you can see if you are entitled to a federal tax credit based on your income (the lower your income the higher the tax credit).
4) You will have maternity coverage.
Beginning in 2014, all individual health care plans will be required to include 10 essential health benefits including maternity care.
5) You will not be charged more for being a female.
6) You can't be rejected for having a pre-existing condition.
Insurers of today are able to deny you if you have a chronic condition (diabetes, asthma, etc). But starting in 2014, it will be illegal to penalize you for such a condition. The premiums will be based only on age, where you live and whether you are a smoker.
If you would like to read the original article from Cosmopolitan, click here