Rep. Schakowsky Highlights Health Care Coverage for LGBTQI Plus Community

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Illinois, issued the following news release:

Last week, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, joined health care workers and federal partners at Howard Brown Health's Broadway Youth Center to spotlight the clinic's efforts to enroll LGBTQI+ youth in affordable health insurance.

LGBTQI+ youth are uninsured at higher rates and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the problem. Expanding access to health coverage under the Affordable Care Act is crucial to ensure LGBTQI+ youth get the care they need. Howard Brown Health's Broadway Youth Center has Navigators on hand to help LGBTQI+ youth in Chicago gain access to key resources and services. During the LGBTQ Week of Action, Broadway Youth Center assisted Chicago's LGBTQI+ youth enroll in affordable health insurance.

The Navigators at Broadway Youth Center, like Navigators available across Illinois, provide individualized support and counseling to address the unique needs of each child who enters their door. Recent studies show that individuals who receive in-person assistance with insurance enrollment are roughly twice as likely to successfully enroll in a health plan compared to those who attempted to enroll without any help.

"I am so thankful for the navigators and health care workers at Howard Brown Health's Broadway Youth Center. They have assisted numerous LGBTQI+ youth in our community sign up for health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Everyone, no matter sexual identity, gender identity, race, or religion, deserves access to quality health care. We need more safe spaces like Broadway Youth Center," said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky.

"When you create welcoming spaces, LGBTQI+ youth can access the services they need and can thrive in an environment that they feel socially, emotionally and physically safe and supported. A great example of such a space is Howard Brown Health's Broadway Youth Center, they offer many important services, including dedicated Navigators to enroll LGBTQI+ youth in health coverage. Anyone who needs health care coverage should visit HealthCare.gov today where 4 out of 5 eligible people will be able to find plans for $10 or less per a month after advance payments of premium tax credits. Consumers can select a plan on HealthCare.gov until January 15, 2022 to enroll in a comprehensive, affordable health plans," said U.S. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health, Admiral Rachel Levine.

Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act coverage is open through January 15, 2022, but by registering by December 15, 2021, coverage will begin on January 1, 2022. Otherwise, coverage will begin on February 1, 2022. Illinois residents can get matched with Navigators by visiting GetCoveredIllinois.gov.