Extension’s Health Insurance Education Initiative Hosting Sessions on Affordable Care Act in Joplin, Cassville and Anderson

Contact: Janet LaFon, family financial education specialist
Headquartered in Jasper County
Tel: (417) 358-2158
E-mail: lafonj@missouri.edu

CARTHAGE, Mo. – Do you have questions about the Affordable Care Act? University of Missouri Extension is offering information about the new health care law that can help families and individuals understand their options and responsibilities.

An updated list of other health insurance education classes in southwest Missouri that are scheduled can be found online at http://extension.missouri.edu/insure/families.aspx.

Several new classes have been recently scheduled in southwest Missouri.

CASSVILLE
MU Extension, in partnership with Mercy Hospital of Joplin, will host, “Affordable Care Act:  What Individuals Need to Know.” The program will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 9 in the Commissioners room (old courtroom in the Historic Courthouse), 700 Main, Cassville. The session is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Janet Lafon at the Jasper County Extension Center at (417) 358-2158.

ANDERSON
University of Missouri Extension, in partnership with Freeman Health System, will host, “Affordable Care Act:  What Individuals Need to Know.” The program will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 10 in the First Baptist Church, 1 Friendship Lane, Anderson. The session is free and open to the public. Refreshments and child care will be provided. For more information, contact the McDonald County Extension Center at (417) 223-4775.

JOPLIN
This program will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Joplin Public Library, 300 S. Main, Joplin.  Presenters at this session will be Janet LaFon, a University of Missouri Extension family financial education specialist, and Kathy Macomber, a University of Missouri Extension community development specialist. The brown bag “lunch and learn” is part of MU Extension’s Health Insurance Education Initiative.

EL DORADO SPRINGS
This meeting will be held on from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., January 16, 2014, at the El Dorado Springs Middle School Cafeteria, 920 S Park, El Dorado Springs. Educators for the meeting will be Dr. Lydia Kaume, a nutrition and health education specialist with MU Extension and Kathy Macomber, a community development specialist with MU Extension.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

“The Health Insurance Education Initiative will help Show-Me State citizens understand their health insurance options and learn how to get help in their own communities if they choose to enroll in Missouri’s health insurance marketplace,” said Brenda Procter, associate professor of consumer and family economics for MU Extension.

A new website, at extension.missouri.edu/insure, provides educational materials and links to information. There’s a map of Missouri educators who can provide local workshops and a calendar where you can learn about upcoming events near you.

“The website is a one-stop source for factual, unbiased information about the changes in health insurance that are required by the new law,” Procter said.

MU Extension’s Health Insurance Education Initiative website will also provide resources for the state’s small businesses, including information about tax credits for offering insurance to employees and explanations of rules that might affect their bottom line, she said.
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