WASHINGTON – The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) thanks Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (Del.), Rep. Kathy Castor (Fla.), Rep. Dan Kildee (Mich.) and Rep. Lucy McBath (Ga.) for introducing H.R. 987, the Marketing and Outreach Restoration to Empower (MORE) Health Education Act today. The MORE Health Education Act will require the federal health insurance Marketplace to adequately fund outreach and marketing for the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
“APIAHF is proud to have worked alongside Representatives Blunt Rochester, Castor, Kildee and McBath to ensure that everyone is made aware of their health insurance options during enrollment,” said Kathy Ko Chin, president and CEO of APIAHF. “The bill ensures that the money collected by user fees from Affordable Care Act plans are being spent as intended – to promote access to health insurance. This is especially important for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community and other limited English proficient populations due to the need for translated and culturally competent information on their options.”
It has been increasingly important to inform consumers of their health care options. Under the Trump Administration, marketing for the ACA has been cut by 90%, leaving many unaware of open enrollment timelines and opportunities to receive financial help with health insurance. It is especially important for hard-to-reach populations who have high uninsured rates and whom require targeted outreach.
For over 6 years, APIAHF has partnered with organizations helping consumers enroll in health coverage, including Marketplace plans, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). As part of these efforts, we co-founded Action for Health Justice with the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Centers (AAPCHO), Asian Americans Advancing Justice and Asians Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles. As part of Action for Health Justice, we worked with 72 community based organizations and health centers and countless local assistors to enroll over one million AAs and NHPIs in coverage.