Congressional staff discuss importance of Affordable Care Act for students

Congressional staff met with Cape Girardeau citizens Wednesday morning at the Cape Girardeau Public Library to discuss the importance and future of the Affordable Care Act.

The question and answer panel was made up of Eric Bohl, chief of staff for Congressman Jason Smith (R), and Christy Mercer, district director for Senator Claire McCaskill (D).

The lack of a “safety net” was the general theme discussed with regard to students as well as adults during Wednesday morning’s panel.

“Students have to do their research and not wait until the last minute before graduation,” Mercer said.

The two staff members had a mutual agreement that students seem uninterested, but that it is crucial they become informed.

The discussion led to deeply concerned remarks from audience members saying they simply don't know what their children leaving college are going to do and that they fear for their future.

Bohl went on to outline that while most students will remain on their parents’ health care plan, they have to take an initiative to understand what they will be buying into once they reach age 26. Bohl later mentioned he believes the potential implementation of a “universal health care system,” an idea widely adopted by many college-age students, would not be supported by his candidate.

When asked why students should care about the Affordable Care Act, both staff members agreed students should be researching the law and making plans to visit an insurance navigator before graduation.

“It is a responsibility as they move out of college and into the working world to understand what you are being offered and to look at both sides of the issue before making a decision,” Bohl said.

The panel concluded with an agreement by both staff members that the goal of health care reform should be to work together to achieve a common goal as opposed to a continual debate regarding a repeal. They believe these measures would prepare recent college graduates entering the workforce and future generations a life of more affordable health care, as well as easier access to coverage. Although, the measures could only be achieved if students become involved and take the initiative to research the issue.