Five years have passed since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, and I continue to be inspired by the #GetCovered stories from across America. It is amazing to hear about men, women and young adults in this country who have been empowered—many for the first time—to take the reins and become more active partners in their health care and the health care of their families.
The third Open Enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace (Marketplace) is well underway, and the progress since the Affordable Care Act’s provisions took effect five years ago is extraordinary. Approximately 17.6 million Americans have gained coverage, which is the largest reduction of the uninsured on record, and the reductions are especially strong among racial and ethnic minority populations.
But there are about 10.5 million uninsured Americans who are eligible for coverage in the Marketplace, approximately one-third of whom are people of color, including 19 percent who are Hispanic, 14 percent who are African American, and 2 percent who are Asian American. We also know that 500,000 uninsured American Indians/Alaska Natives have the opportunity for coverage through the Marketplace. Making sure all eligible uninsured minorities have insurance coverage is the challenge before us. At the HHS Office of Minority Health, we are leveraging our resources to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live full and healthy lives through access to affordable, quality health care.
From town halls, conferences, and outreach and enrollment events to radio, print and social media, we are spreading the word to make sure those who are uninsured and eligible for Marketplace coverage visit HealthCare.gov to sign up for coverage during the current open enrollment period, which runs through January 31, 2016. And because you can’t predict when you or a loved one may be diagnosed with an illness or have an unforeseen accident, we encourage everyone to sign up for coverage by December 15, 2015, so that your insurance is effective starting January 1, just in time for the New Year. What better way to start 2016 than with the invaluable gift of health insurance coverage?
We also encourage people who signed up last year to come back to shop around in the event that there is a plan better suited for your needs and your budget—more than 7 in 10 returning Marketplace customers will be able to find coverage for $75 or less a month in premiums after tax credits. Picking a plan and signing up for coverage is easier this year, financial help is available to make coverage more affordable and free assistance is available to walk individuals through their options right in their own community at LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov.
Given the profound impact of persistent health disparities and preventable illnesses among minority populations—including cancers, heart disease, diabetes and more—the access to recommended preventive services with no co-pay or deductible provided by the Affordable Care Act improves the health of our communities and plays a crucial role in closing the gap on health disparities.
Not only is access to preventive services key to reducing health disparities, but so are the other ways in which the Affordable Care Act is touching the lives of people of color every day through increases in the number of health care providers in underserved communities; enhancements to the diversity and cultural competency of the health workforce; expansion of health disparities research; and improvements in data collection and reporting standards. The collective outcome of these advancements is moving us toward better health care and healthier people in our nation’s fastest growing communities.
Healthier minority communities translate to a healthier nation, and that’s a benefit to all Americans.
To learn more about your health insurance options, visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) 24/7. Find free, confidential in-person assistance in your local area by visiting LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov.
To learn more about the HHS Office of Minority Health visit www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov.
J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE, is the Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health and the Director of the Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).