Across the country, health care experts, lawmakers, and advocates joined Protect Our Care to discuss the ACA Open Enrollment 2023 which began on November 1 and provides Americans with the resources they need to enroll in quality, affordable coverage.
More people have access to affordable health insurance than ever before thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. It is historic legislation that reduces health care premiums for 13 million families purchasing coverage on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. 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 communities, LGBTQ+ communities, and other particularly 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.
The Inflation Reduction Act will keep health care costs low for those enrolling in ACA marketplace plans this year. Four out of five people are eligible for coverage at $10 or less. On average, families will save thousands of dollars a year on health care thanks to these enhanced subsidies and the Biden administration’s historic investment in the Navigator program. These savings are a game-changer, giving average middle-class families much-needed breathing room to pay for other essentials like rent, groceries, and gas. These actions ensure access to quality, affordable, and equitable care for years to come
ARIZONA
Tuesday, November 22, HHS Regional Director, Dr. Jeffrey Reynoso joined Protect Our Care Arizona to discuss the ACA Open Enrollment 2023 period, which began on November 1, 2022, and provided Arizonans with the resources they need to enroll in quality, affordable coverage. “President Biden and HHS Sec. Xavier Becerra both believe healthcare should be a human right, not a privilege. Every American deserves the peace of mind that quality, affordable health insurance brings. 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.” said Dr. Jeffrey Reynoso. “In 2021 when we were signing up for our 2022 coverage, we celebrated the fact that because of the American Rescue Plan there were subsidies extended to average, working Americans like us,” said Anna Laidlaw, Arizona ACA enrollee. “It helped take the financial burden off of the decision making process. It meant that we no longer had to dip into our savings every month just to pay our premiums.” You can watch the event here.
COVERAGE:
- Arizona Public Media: Health insurance open enrollment sees lower premiums
IOWA
Tuesday, November 22, Iowa State Rep. John Forbes and Joseph Palm, Regional Director, HHS Region 7 joined Protect Our Care to discuss the upcoming ACA Open Enrollment 2023 period which began on November 1 and provides Iowans with the resources they need to enroll in quality, affordable coverage.“The Inflation Reduction Act is desperately needed. For many, the bill will lower the cost of healthcare by thousands of dollars a year – giving them breathing room to pay for other necessities like food, gas, and rent. The legislation also makes sure more Iowans will be able to sign-up for and afford health care coverage during the open enrollment period.” said Joseph Palm, Regional Director, HHS Region 7. “Americans pay three times more for the same drugs as people in other countries while big drug companies make record-breaking profits,” said Iowa Rep. John Forbes. “In the wealthiest nation on earth, no one should have to choose between putting food on the table and affording the medications they need to survive. The Inflation Reduction Act represents crucial progress in increasing affordable and equitable health care coverage for all Iowans.” You can watch the event here.
COVERAGE:
- KFXA-IOW (FOX): Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment in Iowa
- KMEG (CBS): Enrollment for health coverage through Affordable Care Act is now open
- KGAN-IOW (CBS): Finding Affordable Health Insurance
- KTVO (ABC): Affordable Care Act Offers Iowans Affordable Health Insurance
- Public News Service: HHS Exec Encourages Iowans to Check Health Insurance Options
- CBS 2 (Iowa): Enrollment for health coverage through Affordable Care Act is now open
- Iowa Capital Dispatch: Deadlines loom for subsidized health insurance enrollment
- Dubuque Telegraph Herald: Deadlines loom for subsidized health insurance enrollment
MICHIGAN
Wednesday, October 26, State Rep Sarah Anthony and Michigan Health Care Advocates joined Protect Our Care to urge families and individuals who need insurance to sign up for health care as the open enrollment period begins Tuesday, Nov. 1 – and as the new Inflation Reduction Act offers ways to save. “Too many families across Michigan are being forced to make an impossible decision: choose between seeking the medical care they need or putting food on the table,” said State Rep. Sarah Anthony. “It is a choice no one should ever have to make, and it is vital that we let folks know about the various ways families and individuals can reduce their health care costs through the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act – specifically, saving money on prescription drugs, on insulin, and on health insurance premiums.” You can watch the event here.
COVERAGE:
- Michigan Radio: Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans starts November 1
NEW JERSEY
Friday, November 4, HHS Regional Director Dr. Dara Kass and Laura Waddell, Health Care Program Director at NJ Citizen Action joined Protect Our Care New Jersey to answer questions about the ACA Open Enrollment 2023 period, which started on November 1, 2022 and provided New Jerseyans with the resources they need to enroll in quality, affordable coverage. “This open enrollment period is especially important for the millions of people who were enrolled in New Jersey FamilyCare over the past couple of years, but may now need to look at other health insurance options,” said Dr. Dara Kass, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Regional Director. “With help from the Inflation Reduction Act, families in New Jersey will have access to quality, affordable and equitable care.” You can watch the event here.
OHIO
Wednesday, November 23, State Rep. Juanita Brent, President, Ohio Legislative Black Caucus; Dennis González, Executive Officer – Office of the Secretary, HHS; Steven Wagner, Executive Director, UHCAN Ohio; and Samuel Camacho, Certified Navigator, Affordable Care Act, UHCAN Ohio joined Protect Our Care to discuss the upcoming ACA Open Enrollment 2023 period which began on November 1 and provides Ohioans with the resources they need to enroll in quality, affordable coverage. “Every day, when people are thinking about how they’re going to take care of their families, one thing we don’t want them to be concerned about is their health care,” said State Rep. Juanita Brent. “The Inflation Reduction Act is a key step in making sure people can keep more money in their pockets so they can live their American dream.” Dennis González with HHS highlighted key upcoming dates for open enrollment. He said, “Open enrollment started on November 1st and it ends January 15th. That’s very important to remember because after January 15th, unless you have a special circumstance, you can’t enroll until the following November. Also, if you want coverage by January 1st, you have to enroll by December 15th.” You can watch the event here.
COVERAGE:
- WDTN (Dayton NBC): Affordable Care Act open enrollment deadlines for Ohio
WEST VIRGINIA
Tuesday, November 1, WV State Senator Dr. Ron Stollings and Health Care Advocates joined Protect Our Care West Virginia to discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act will keep health care costs low for West Virginians enrolling in ACA marketplace plans this year. With Open Enrollment for 2023 Marketplace plans starting on November 1, advocates also provided West Virginians with the resources they need to enroll in quality, affordable coverage. “The Inflation Reduction Act will save the lives of thousands of West Virginians,” said Dr. Ron Stollings, who represents Boone County in the West Virginia Senate. “For so many, this is the difference between worrying about how to afford prescription drugs or going to the doctor and making ends meet. We have been asking and waiting for this day, and now we are so grateful help is on the way. The Inflation Reduction Act will lower the cost of prescription drugs, make premiums more affordable, and strengthen health care for millions of Americans.” You can watch the event here.
COVERAGE:
- Dominion Post: Healthcare advocates tout new benefits of Inflation Reduction Act as ACA enrollment period opens