With the March 31 deadline to sign up for the Affordable Care Act approaching, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan and regional health and human services director Kathleen Falk recently visited the Truax Health Education building to speak about health insurance and it’s importance for students.

As Director of U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, Falk is concerned about young people in Wisconsin getting the health insurance. On Feb. 21, when she and Pocan visited Madison College, Falk encouraged people specifically aged 19-35 to sign up, which is the largest age group of uninsured adults in Wisconsin. and there are more than 200,000 people eligible for marketplace healthcare that haven’t signed up. Those individuals have until March 31 to enroll in a plan, or face fines.

But it’s not just fines to worry about without health insurance. Even a young healthy person can catch a serious infection or have an accident. After recovery and sometimes before, comes the unfortunate task of paying for healthcare needs. Medical bills can easily wipe out savings and then there’s a risk of being both sick and broke.

“You can get sick at any point in your life, but you don’t want a deep expense to prevent from paying from your education,” Pocan said.

Paying for unexpected medical bills can take precious coin away from education, food and living expenses. Rafael Escobedol, a Madison College student, moved from Florida and experienced his first Wisconsin winter. At 23, he was uninsured and working in the service industry, and healthcare was not a top priority. But no one is immune from sicknesses that may cycle through crowded work and school environments. Escobedol caught a cold, but without health insurance, could not afford a doctor’s visit.

“As I was laying in bed with tragic music playing, I thought, ‘I should have health insurance,’” Escobedol said.

After recuperating, he said he decided to make his health more of a priority. He spoke with a representative on the phone and was able to get a plan for about $65 per month. For about $2 a day, he is saving himself from potential thousands of dollars in medical bills.

Madison College Student Senate is sponsoring free clinics to help sign up for health insurance at the Truax campus. The clinic will run on Fridays from 9-4 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted if time allows, but appointments are preferred and guarantee a spot.
Call 608-826-7309 to make an appointment. You can also sign up online or over the phone.