Rep. Cooper Urges Tennesseans to Sign Up for Health Insurance

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 -- Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release:

U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-05) today encouraged Tennesseans to evaluate their health insurance options, including some that are newly available to Volunteer State residents, before choosing an Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plan that best fits their needs.

Today is the first day to enroll in ACA Marketplace coverage plans at Healthcare.gov between now and Dec. 15. The plans will cover consumers for calendar year 2019.

Most Tennesseans will have more insurance choices at a lower cost. Benchmark premiums across Tennessee are dropping an average of 26.2 percent, the largest decrease in the country. Nashville will have a new insurer offering coverage, Bright Health, as well as continued options from Cigna and Oscar Health.

"It's never been easier for Middle Tennesseans to sign up for health insurance!" Rep. Cooper said. "All the new and expanded options show the Affordable Care Act is working. Tennesseans have six weeks to choose the best plan for them."

More than 229,000 Tennesseans selected ACA plans during the most recent sign-up time despite the Trump administration shortening the open enrollment period by several weeks. A recent study also found that Marketplace premiums are 16 percent higher than they would be absent some administration actions, including repealing the individual mandate and expanding short-term "junk" plans.

Despite the success of the individual market, many Tennesseans still struggle to gain access to affordable coverage. Tennessee has still failed to expand Medicaid, which would cover more than 250,000 Tennesseans and reduce premiums even further for those shopping on the individual market. Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Tennessee recently found that the statewide rate of uninsured Tennesseans has increased about 10 percent in the last year, leaving a total of about 450,000 residents without any form of health insurance.

Tennesseans can shop for plans at Healthcare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596.