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Health Care Leaders Join Protect Our Care Across Eight States to Discuss Affordable Health Care Options During Open Enrollment

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December 16, 2022
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U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Congresswoman Lois Frankel, HHS Officials, and Health Care Advocates Headlined Events Highlighting How Americans Can Save This Open Enrollment

Across the country, health care experts, lawmakers, and advocates joined Protect Our Care to discuss the 2023 Open Enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. Coverage is more affordable than ever before thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which expanded premium subsidies and lowered costs for families nationwide. Four out of five people are eligible for coverage at $10 or less, saving many families thousands of dollars a year on health care. 

The Inflation Reduction Act is historic legislation that reduces health care premiums for 13 million families. Last year, a record-breaking 14.5 million people signed up for coverage through the ACA marketplaces. Ahead of this open enrollment period, the Biden administration announced the single-largest investment ever in the Navigators program, to help connect even more people to coverage, with a focus on outreach to racial and ethnic minorities, people in rural areas, LGBTQ+ people, and other underserved communities. President Biden also eliminated the family glitch, allowing an additional 1 million people to be eligible for affordable health care on the marketplace and receive premium subsidies. With the enhanced subsidies in the Inflation Reduction Act and the Biden administration’s historic investment in the Navigator program, new enrollments are up nearly 40% over last year. These actions ensure access to quality, affordable, and equitable care for years to come.

COLORADO

Thursday, December 15, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Regional Director Lily Griego joined Colorado Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, Senator Dylan Roberts, Healthier Colorado and Protect Our Care Colorado to discuss the ACA Open Enrollment 2023 period and policies that have been enacted on the federal and state level to provide Coloradans with the resources they need to enroll in quality, affordable coverage. “It is great to be here today with such incredible lawmakers and advocates and with Protect Our Care to talk about delivering lower health care costs and what that means now that we have entered the ACA Open Enrollment which began November 1,” said Director Lily Griego. “Health care lies at the heart of the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act, and the proposals to reduce costs and expand care are overwhelmingly popular with Coloradans and people across the country. The Inflation Reduction Act will reduce racial inequities in health care, improve the health and well-being of seniors and people with disabilities, strengthen families, and save lives across Colorado.” You can watch the event here.

MICHIGAN

Wednesday December 14, health care leaders and experts joined Protect Our Care Michigan to discuss the ACA Open Enrollment period that started on Nov. 1, 2022, and the resources Michiganders need to enroll in quality, affordable coverage. Speakers will also highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act will keep health care costs low for Michiganders enrolling in ACA marketplace plans this year. “The Inflation Reduction Act is historic when it comes to lowering the cost of health care coverage for hard-working Michiganders,” said State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky. “Right now 85% of our residents with a health plan on the marketplace are receiving enhanced premium tax credits, making their coverage affordable and accessible.” You can watch the event here.

GEORGIA

Tuesday, December 13, a panel joined Protect Our Care Georgia to discuss the ACA Open Enrollment 2023 period and to provide Georgians with the resources they need to enroll in quality, affordable coverage. “In 2021, a record-breaking number of Georgians enrolled in an ACA marketplace plan. Right now, 92% of those folks are receiving premium tax credits, making their coverage more affordable. The Inflation Reduction Act, the legislation that extended those tax credits, will save an average middle-class family of four in Georgia $4,916 on their yearly premiums,” said Joe Binns, Protect Our Care Georgia State Director. “The Inflation Reduction Act and the Affordable Care Act together can really make a big difference – not only in your health but your wallet,” said Himali Patel, an Atlanta small business owner with multiple autoimmune diseases. Patel gets her healthcare through the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace and has seen her premiums reduced by the Inflation Reduction Act’s extension of premium tax credits. “Take advantage of this opportunity and make sure you’re enrolled for your healthcare plan going into the new year,” said Antrell Tyson, Health and Human Services Regional Director, Region 4. “At Healthcare.gov, you can shop and enroll on your own or find local help to walk you through the application. You have until December 15th to enroll for coverage starting January 1, 2023. You have until January 15th to enroll for coverage starting in February of 2023.” You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

  • Georgia Recorder: Window closing to start 2023 with health coverage through the federal marketplace

MINNESOTA

Tuesday, December 13, MNsure CEO Nate Clark, Health and Human Services Director Joseph Palm, and Peter Orth of American Senior Benefits  will join Protect Our Care Minnesota to discuss the upcoming affordable health care options ahead of the  Dec. 15 deadline for January 1st coverage and will provide Minnesotans with the resources they need to enroll in quality, affordable coverage. “We estimate that families who enroll in MNSure, will save an average of $560 per month, thanks to the enhanced benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act,” said MNsure CEO Nate Clark. “That’s over $6,000 dollars that goes back into their pockets in 2023. Our message for Minnesotans is simple, if you look for lower cost health insurance in the past, it’s worth taking another look this year” Peter Orth of American Senior Benefits said, “One of our agents picked up a call from someone seeking MNSure plans through the MNSure portal and found that she didn’t apply for tax credits, so they nixed the application and redid it for them. The phone call took about 20-25 minutes, and she saved $260 per month in premiums, which was a game-changer for her and her life.” You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

  • KMSP (Fox): Discussing Health Care Options Before Upcoming ACA Deadline

NEW HAMPSHIRE

​​Monday, December 12, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) will host a panel discussion with ACA navigators to share information around open enrollment. She will encourage Granite Staters to enroll in health care and discuss her successful push to reduce ACA premiums with service organizations that serve vulnerable populations. The four ACA navigators in New Hampshire – Health Market Connect, Lamprey Health Care, Foundation for Health Family and Harbor Care – will participate in the discussion, and Jayme Simões of Protect Our Care will moderate the event. “We continue to see the importance of expanding access to quality, affordable health care as new COVID variants and viruses like the flu and RSV emerge,” said Senator Shaheen. “That’s why I hosted this discussion today to highlight essential resources available to help Granite Staters enroll in health insurance, including excellent Navigators across our state. I’ve prioritized efforts in Congress to successfully lower health care premiums, making health insurance on the marketplace more affordable than ever. I encourage all Granite Staters to shop for the plan that’s right for them during Open Enrollment season by visiting HealthCare.gov.”

Coverage:

  • Insurance NewsNet: Shaheen hosts panel discussion with ACA navigators encouraging Granite Staters to enroll in health insurance

NEVADA

Monday, December 12, U.S Department of Health and Human Services Regional Director Dr. Jeffrey Reynoso, Nevada Health Link’s communication officer, Katie Charleson, and health insurance enrollee Jason Karsh joined Protect Our Care Nevada to discuss Nevada Health Link’s Open Enrollment 2023 period that closes on January 15, 2023, and provided Nevadans with the resources they need to enroll in quality, affordable coverage. “Every American deserves the peace of mind that quality, affordable health insurance brings,” said Dr. Reynoso, HHS Regional Director. “Americans facing illness should never have to worry about how they are going to pay for their treatment, or face a choice between buying life saving medications and putting food on the table, especially during this holiday season.” “Getting enrolled in health insurance can be a daunting and confusing process for many people, but Nevada Health Link provides free assistance from licensed enrollment professionals can help you find a plan within your budget and ensure you have everything you need when it comes time to enroll,” said Katie Charleson, Nevada Health Link. “Nevada Health Link is here to answer any questions, help to see if you qualify for subsidies and overall, make the enrollment process as easy as possible. Most consumers are surprised to find out they qualify for subsidies and plans are more affordable than they originally thought.” “I have purchased my health insurance through Nevada Health Link for the last seven years,” said Jason Karsh, Nevada Health Link Enrollee. “Being able to buy my health insurance through the exchange has given me the flexibility to work independently without worrying about my health coverage being tied to an employer. Like tens of thousands of Nevadans, I qualify for tax credits which has made my health insurance affordable and I have worked with a health insurance navigator which makes choosing the right coverage extremely easy. All of this not only gives me the freedom to work for myself, but the peace of mind to know I will be covered in case I get sick or need emergency care. And the security I have now that the tax credits have been extended for another three years means I can plan better for the future while keeping more money in my pocket.” You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

FLORIDA

Thursday, December 8, Congresswoman Lois Frankel, Health and Human Services Regional Director Antrell Tyson, and Healthcare Advocates will join Protect Our Care Florida to discuss the upcoming ACA Open Enrollment 2023 period starting on November 1, 2022 and will provide Floridians with the resources they need to enroll in quality, affordable coverage. Antrell Tyson said, “The impact of this new law cannot be overstated as it will lower health care costs for more than 63 million people across the country with Medicare coverage. Also, those who have found coverage under the ACA marketplace will save hundreds of dollars per year on their health insurance, with some options as low as $10 a month thanks to enhanced tax credits authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act.” Congresswoman Lois Frankel said, “If we have learned anything from the past few years, it is how important our health is. There is good news today as the United States Congress, under the leadership of President Biden, has with recent legislation expanded the Affordable Care Act for how many people can get it and lowered premiums.” You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

  • WFLA News Radio: Florida Congresswoman Reminds Families ACA Deadline Is One Week Away

WISCONSIN

Tuesday, December 6, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Regional Administrator Dennis Gonzalez and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley will join a Southeastern Wisconsin Obamacare Marketplace Consumer and Navigator for a press event hosted by Protect Our Care Wisconsin to urge consumers to participate in the ACA Open Enrollment 2023 period that ends December 15th. The event will focus on resources and information available to consumers who need to enroll in quality, affordable coverage. “Milwaukee County’s vision is to become the healthiest county in the state of Wisconsin by achieving both race and health equity,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley as he urged residents to get covered. The County Executive went on to note that under the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act, “Many consumers who have health insurance plans through healthcare.gov will continue to save money on their premiums.” You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

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