Educating Texans About the Health Insurance Marketplace

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We have news, both good and bad.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, sometimes referred to as “Obamacare,” is neither perfect nor horrible. It is flawed, yet it attempts something health insurance professionals and policy leaders desire: more people covered with lower costs and greater efficiencies.

The good news is that on October 1st, a major provision of the health care reform law kicks in: the federal health insurance marketplace opens, with more health insurance options available for more people—including currently uninsured Texans.

Unfortunately, and this is the bad news, respected national surveys show many Americans don’t know that the PPACA, or Obamacare, is the law of the land.

The New York Times recently reported that:

Studies for Enroll America and the Kaiser Family Foundation indicate that three-fourths of uninsured adults are unaware that they will have new insurance options.

As many as 75% of uninsured Americans don’t know that they will have new, and in many cases more affordable, health insurance options!

I view this unfortunate news as an opportunity. In response to the need to make Americans more aware, the federal government and an array of organizations—from insurance companies to community groups—are reaching out to Americans to alert them about the upcoming Marketplace.

More good news: The non-profit healthcare organization I represent is doing its part to help Texans, as well. We’re hosting meetings, providing data, training people, and launching online tools including a Facebook page with Marketplace updates and health news.

Join us online as we continue to advocate for solutions to Texas’ health care needs.

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