WASHINGTON—At the launch of Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace today, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) is highlighting the importance of in-person assistance for communities of color, immigrants and limited English proficient populations. As prices for coverage have greatly changed this year, such assistance can help consumers understand the affordable health insurance options that are available at the federal Marketplace ahead of the enrollment deadline of December 15, 2018.
Kathy Ko Chin, President and CEO of APIAHF said, “While in-person assistance and community based organizations have worked to get over 1 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders enrolled since the Affordable Care Act was passed, those gains are at risk with continued efforts by the Trump Administration to cut the Navigator program and reduce outreach and enrollment budgets.”
In response to these cuts, Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) introduced H.R. 7102, the Expand Navigators Resources’ for Outreach, Learning and Longevity (ENROLL) Act. If passed, this bill will restore funding for Navigators and undo regulatory attacks on their ability to serve communities.
To help get the word out about Open Enrollment, APIAHF is working with Community Catalyst and other national partners on materials that consumers can use to learn about their coverage options and get enrolled. Consumers can access the materials here, which are available in English, Vietnamese, Tongan, Marshallese, Chinese and Korean.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has also produced companion guides to help navigators and assistors explain the eligibility determination notice to their clients in Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean.