Former state lawmaker selected to promote Obama Health Care Act
A former state lawmaker is going to Washington to serve as a top promoter of the Obama Administration’s Affordable Health Care Act. Matt Heinz is a doctor who said the real challenge will be overcoming some staunch opposition to the law. Heinz served two terms as a Democrat in the Arizona house. He has been tapped to serve as the Director of Provider Outreach with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Heinz said one of his main responsibilities will be to teach doctors, hospital administrators and patients more about the intricacies of the reform measure, which he acknowledges can be confusing.
“There’s a lot of inaccurate stuff, there’s a lot of rumors and there’s a lot of skepticism. Even from the provider community I hear that myself, but as a practicing physician, I have a unique background from which to approach this," Heinz said.
Heinz said he will also be promoting web-based exchanges where people can shop for insurance starting in October.
Despite the heavy workload in Washington, Heinz plans to continue working a few days each month at his medical practice in Tucson.
