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Affordable Care Act

Back in March 23^rd of 2010, President Obama signed a comprehensive Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law. This law makes it possible for families to access affordable health care. Well, the time has come.

Beginning October 1st, 2013, you are able to purchase health insurance through a new easy-to-navigate marketplace website called Covered California. This website allows you and your family to get financial assistance for coverage and to shop and compare health plans. The information are also available different languages: Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, Farsi, Hmong, Kmer, Korean, Lao, Russian, Spanish, Filipino, and Vietnamese. Remember, starting 2014, by law, health insurers are prohibited from discriminating against anyone with pre-existing conditions.

As with any new law, undoubtedly, there will be a lot of questions. Here are sites and fact sheets that you can visit or read for further answers to your questions.

Coverage Basics

Stop and Compare Tool

Downloadable Health Plan Booklets

Covered_California_About_fact_sheet_English

Covered_California_Getting_Covered_fact_sheet_English

Covered_California_Getting_Financial_Help_fact_sheet_English

Frequently Asked Questions

You can also contact Covered California through telephone (for specific language)

English: 1-800-300-1506

Arabic: 1-800-826-6317

Armenian: 1-800-996-1009

Chinese: 1-800-300-1533

Farsi: 1-800-921-8879

Hmong: 1-800-771-2156

Khmer: 1-800-906-8528

Korean: 1-800-738-9116

Lao: 1-800-357-7976

Russian: 1-800-778-7695

Spanish: 1-800-0213

Filipino: 1-800-983-8816

Vietnamese: 1-800-652-9528

Change of Season brings change of weather!

Or, at least you hope that Fall will bring a change in weather to  Southern California!

Fall is officially here; even though, you can’t tell by the hot weather in Southern California.  However, elsewhere in the United States, Fall has arrived as expected with all of its usual characteristics.  The light of day becomes shorter and the sun casts shadows different than during the summer.

I enjoy the Fall Season most of all.  Each day brings new changes, such as earlier sunsets, crisp air, and trees turn to vibrant earth tones.  And, as Day Light Savings Time nears, the Fall Season is upon us once again. 

If you are interested in the weather conditions, you can access the daily reports and forcasts at the following website titled, Wunderground at:   http://www.wunderground.com/

There are a lot of interesting links and weather related news articles on this website.  Anyone who likes to track historical data can scroll down the page and at the bottom left side under “Local Weather” click-on “History Data,”  This type of information can be helpful if you have any need to know what the weather conditions were on any given day.  For, instance if you had an automobile accident and you wanted to prove that it was a rainy day which contributed to the accident.

Another fascinating feature on this website are the webcams.  Just click-on “Photos and Videos” in the menu at the top of the page and then go to Webcams at the right side of the page.  Click-on “U.S. Webcams” and you can choose any state in the right side bar.  The webcams give you real time views of your favorite places, so if you want to visit, virtually speaking, New York City you can experience it via the webcam as if you are actually there.

So, relax in your favorite chair, and enjoy a good book, or a webcam on your IPad while the weather continues to change from season to season outside your window.

Librarian – Heidi

Good Information to make you more knowledgeable!

If you are a student starting a new school year or just a curious person, you can find all kinds of facts and information about so many subjects at the website titled, Infoplease at the following web address:  http://www.infoplease.com

There are so many categories of information and “Homework Help,”  you may want to make this website your default homepage.

The company describes the service it offers as follows:

          

          “Information Please has been providing authoritative answers to all kinds
            of factual questions since 1938—first as a popular radio quiz show, then
            starting in 1947 as an annual almanac, and since 1998 on the Internet at
            www.infoplease.com. Many things have changed since 1938, but not our
           dedication to providing reliable information, in a way that engages and
           entertains.”

 

This website covers so many different subjects, so even if you do not use it as a primary “go to” for basic information, it is a great resource for comparing information that you find elsewhere because it is authoratative.  You can trust the information to be accurate and reliable.

Librarian — Heidi

Please direct me to the DMV!

 

Driving in traffic, especially in Southern California, makes many of us wish we were in another universe.  Yes, at times driving can be very challenging but most people drive safely and observe the rules of the road.

Every few years, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires licensed drivers to take a written or driving test to assure public safety.  The DMV is a state operated facility that offers services related to driver/vehicle licensing and registration.  The online services are available at this website:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/home/dmv.htm

DMV Services:
These services offered by the DMV can be accessed by going to the above listed website and scroll down toward the bottom of the page where it reads “How do I…”  Click the drop down menu to see the list of services, such as Practice for my written test, (sample tests to take online); Pay for Traffic/Parking Ticket Online; How do I obtain Auto Insurance.  You can also access a PDF file of the California Driver Handbook (in English) to study for tests.

The Anaheim Public Library used to carry copies of these handbooks for Reference purposes but not anymore.  However, this online format is accessible to many people simultaneously, anywhere and at any time.  Certainly, this online access improves services and appointment times.

The DMV on the Internet shows great improvement on their part, which frees their patrons from standing in long lines; though, only giving us more time to wait in traffic.

Librarian — Heidi