Service Workers and Health Coverage in Lancaster County

Every year, millions of tourists visit Lancaster County, PA, and the tourist industry is a major source of employment. Local service workers shared the following about their health care coverage:

• A 20-something year old woman works as a hair stylist while raising her son and juggling grad school. Her job doesn’t provide coverage, and her income is low enough that she and her son qualify for the Commonwealth’s Medicaid program. They enrolled in one of the state’s managed care plans, and she’s been pleased with her coverage, especially given her pre-existing conditions. “I’m really very lucky to have such an excellent health plan for me and my son.”
• A woman in her late 40s drives a cab while caring for her elderly mom and teenage daughter. She’s had employer-based coverage in the past, but her health isn’t good enough to work full time. The cab company doesn’t provide health benefits, so she gets coverage through Obamacare. She enrolled in a health plan on the federal marketplace because she qualified for a subsidy, but it’s still expensive. “Sometimes I can’t afford to see my doctor because the deductible is so high.”
• A 60’ish year-old woman owns a B&B with her husband after losing health and retirement plans when her employer filed for bankruptcy. Her income is too high to qualify for a subsidy, so she buys individual coverage directly from a local health plan. She and her husband (who is newly enrolled in Medicare) used an insurance broker to advise them on their choices. She turns 65 soon, and “I can’t wait to have Medicare. It’s going to be so much better and cheaper than what I have now.”

Half of all Americans are insured through their jobs, but it’s not an option for these women. They’d be better off if the U.S. had one system for everyone, like in Switzerland. In the meantime, they’re Mastering Health Insurance.

Finally, if you’re ever in downtown Lancaster, the pianos are a lovely touch. No pun intended.