White House and Health and Human Services Ramp Up Efforts to Educate Latino Community on the Affordable Care Act
During Hispanic Heritage Month, the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are intensifying efforts to inform Hispanic Americans about the benefits of the Affordable Care Act and the new Health Insurance Marketplaces. White House and HHS officials are scheduled to participate in conferences, events, briefings, and online engagements across the country demonstrating the benefit of the Affordable Care Act for the Latino community.
The health care law specifically addresses the longstanding inequalities that have affected minority communities across the US, including lack of access to affordable health insurance coverage. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 10.2 million Latinos will have the opportunity to purchase affordable coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
The Administration’s Hispanic Heritage Month themed efforts to educate Latinos about enrollment in the Marketplaces will culminate in a National Hispanic Week of Action to educate, engage, and enroll Latinos in the Health Insurance Marketplaces from October 21st to October 28th.
The Week of Action will be dedicated to raising awareness about the value and benefits of the health care law in Latinos’ lives and their pocketbooks. Across the country, community organizations, local, state and federal government partners will be convening events and partnering with Spanish language media to inform and ensure that hard-working Hispanic Americans know about the new health coverage options available to them through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
CuidadoDeSalud.gov is the first website in Spanish of its kind that provides consumers with the opportunity to take control of their health care through a variety of resources that will help them access quality, affordable health coverage. Leading up to National Hispanic Week of Action, the site will continue to add functionality such as a new online enrollment tool that will allow consumers to create accounts, complete an online application, and shop for health plans that fit their budget and needs – all in Spanish.
Enrollment in the marketplaces begins on October 1st. Throughout the six-month enrollment period, the Latino community will have access to multiple resources to help with the enrollment process in English and Spanish. CuidadoDeSalud.gov offers a live web-chat function in Spanish. A paper application will be available in Spanish to serve as a job-aid and resource as Spanish speakers and their families apply for coverage on HealthCare.gov. In addition, trained specialists at certain organizations in the community, such as local health centers, where Latinos are more likely to be served, and libraries, who offer face-to-face help by answering questions or assisting with the application process. A Find Local Help section on both HealthCare.gov and CuidadoDeSalud.govwill ensure people have the right information about where to go for help in their communities, and HHS trained call center staff offers bilingual help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-800-318-2596.
HHS will also announce today a growing list of more than 30 Hispanic organizations and businesses that have volunteered to help uninsured Americans get coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Champions for Coverage will help Latinos, as well as other racial and ethnic minorities, increase access to quality, affordable health coverage, invest in prevention and wellness, and give individuals and families more control over their care.
