Community Catalyst: Record Marketplace Enrollment Demonstrates Demand For Affordable Health Coverage And Need To Protect Medicaid Coverage For Millions When Public Health Emergency Ends

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 26 (TNStalk) -- Community Catalyst issued the following statement on Jan. 25, 2023:

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The Biden administration announced that a record 16.3 million people signed up for health care coverage in Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces during the latest open enrollment period. Thanks to the work of health advocates, members of Congress and the Biden administration to make coverage more affordable, four out of five people are finding a plan for $10 or less per month. Another year of record enrollment demonstrates the demand for affordable, accessible health coverage. It also stresses that, when the public health emergency is unwound and protections from losing Medicaid coverage due to changes in income are revoked,the administration must provide oversight and states should partner with community groups to ensure people do not wrongly lose their coverage.

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Statement from Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst.

"Another year of record-breaking enrollment is a testament to the impact of improving the ACA and making coverage more affordable. Community Catalyst was proud to partner with organizations across the country in the successful push to make ACA coverage more affordable and to make sure people have information about their coverage options and how to enroll.

"But our work is far from done. Enrollment advocacy and the public health emergency (PHE) declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic have put affordable health insurance within reach for many people for first time and we can't pull the rug out from under them.As we near a likely recession, communities urgently need resources and tools to build, promote and protect financial and personal health and wellbeing of families. The two are intrinsically connected and we need bold leadership and policy solutions to ensure families are not left footing the emotional and physical costs of a health system that continues to put profits over people.

"This means working to protect the millions of people with Medicaid, including children, people with disabilities and non-native English speakers, who will be at risk of losing coverage because of confusing state enrollment processes when the PHE unwinds. We appreciate the Biden administration's efforts to facilitate a careful and deliberate unwinding, and will support our state and community partners to ensure that families continue to have the coverage they want and need to lead healthy lives."

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Original text here: https://www.communitycatalyst.org/news/press-releases/record-marketplace-enrollment-demonstrates-demand-for-affordable-health-coverage-and-need-to-protect-medicaid-coverage-for-millions-when-public-health-emergency-ends