A key move in President Biden's first days was the reopening of the federal ACA exchanges to give uninsured Americans an opportunity to secure health insurance coverage. With the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act, the enrollment period has been extended once again to give consumers time to learn about the new subsidies available to them.
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But simply reopening the exchanges and increasing subsidies will not be enough to convince many of the nation's uninsured to enroll in a health plan. As noted by ASPE Office of Health in a recent policy issue brief, "Unfamiliarity with the Marketplace and with the financial assistance available for health insurance coverage purchased through the Marketplace is a significant barrier to selecting and enrolling in Marketplace coverage."
The authors go on to note the particular difficulties experienced by non-native English speakers, and well as the differences in enrollment among demographic groups and geographic areas. "Given the enormous toll that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on communities of color, it is especially important to promote enrollment in health insurance coverage among these populations to improve equitable access to care," the authors note.
Take a look at the infographic below to learn more about America's uninsured population.
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Emily Payne
Emily Payne is director, content analytics for ALM's Business & Finance Markets and former managing editor for BenefitsPRO. A Wisconsin native, she has spent the past decade writing and editing for various athletic and fitness publications. She holds an English degree and Business certificate from the University of Wisconsin.
