Local agent launches website to help simplify the understanding of health care reform

John Rumery

For Rodney Vellinga, launching Health Car Reform Simplified was a simple solution for a complex problem.  As a licensed health insurance professional, he has followed the rollout of the Health Care Reform Bill that began its phased implementation January 1 of 2010.  His conclusion; what this bill means to individuals and small businesses is very confusing to understand.  

Vellinga states that the bill, which will be rolled out in phases through January 1, 2014, is not only "very complex" but also "people are very busy and it is hard to get a handle on what is going on".    He states that even among professionals in that industry, the future implications of this program are mostly speculative.

To help solve this problem Vellinga initially started a LinkedIn group focused on the health care bill.  He then launched his website that features information and free webinars on Friday afternoons which will address various health care related issues such as the impact this bill will have on individual policy holders.  "You can read about health care reform but it more understandably if it is discussed through a dialogue in simple language".  

Vellinga points to the recent introduction of the Michigan High Risk Insurance Pool which goes into effect in October as an example of a program that is probably better understood through a discussion rather than through a reading of the official program details.  

Vellinga makes it clear that this forum and his webinars will be apolitical.   It is not intended to discuss the pros and cons of the bill, but will be a practical discussion of the laws.  He views his target markets as being the self-insured, H.R. professionals, small business owners, especially those without a human resources department, and other health insurance agents.    

Vellinga is cautiously optimistic about his new site. There should be no lack of interest in this type information.  Many reports have the uninsured in Michigan of being around 1.2 million people with projections that it will continue to grow.   But learning about the impact of a government program still requires effort and in the case of his site, individuals will need to devote time on a Friday afternoon to engage in the discussion.

John Rumery is the Innovation and Jobs Editor for Rapid Growth Media. He is an educator, board member of AimWest, WYCE music programmer, entrepreneur, raconteur and competitive barbecuer living in Grand Rapids, MI.  He can be reached at [email protected]

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