Senior Voice -

Editor’s note: This Dept. of Health and Human Services press statement was received on May 9.

On May 9, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced new funds to help more uninsured Americans enroll in affordable health insurance coverage made available by the Affordable Care Act. In Alaska an estimated $1.78 million is available to support 25 health centers’ enrollment efforts.

Nationwide, funding of approximately $150 million will expand the efforts at community health centers to provide in-person assistance to help enroll uninsured individuals into affordable health insurance coverage.

“Health centers have extensive experience providing eligibility assistance to patients, are providing care to 98,568 individuals in Alaska communities, and are well-positioned to support enrollment efforts,” Secretary Sebelius said. “Investing in health centers for outreach and enrollment assistance provides one more way the Obama Administration is helping consumers understand their options and enroll in affordable coverage.”

With these new funds, health centers will be able to hire new staff, train existing staff, and conduct community outreach events and other educational activities. Health centers will help consumers understand their coverage options, determine their eligibility, and enroll in new affordable health insurance options.

Community health center staff will provide unbiased information to consumers about health insurance, the new Health Insurance Marketplace, qualified health plans, and Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

This funding opportunity was issued by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and it complements and aligns with other federal efforts, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services-funded Navigator program.

The May 9 announcement is part of the administration’s larger effort to make applying for health insurance as easy as possible. For example, earlier in May we released a single, streamlined application that was shortened from 21 to 3 pages. We are committed to providing the type of assistance that Americans need to ensure that they have access to affordable health care.

“Health centers work in communities across the country, giving them a unique opportunity to reach the uninsured in their communities and help connect them with the benefits of health insurance coverage under the health care law,” said HRSA Administrator Mary Wakefield, Ph.D, R.N.

HRSA’s community health center program includes more than 1,200 health centers that operate nearly 9,000 service delivery sites nationwide and serve approximately 21 million patients each year.

To see a list of health centers eligible to apply for this funding in Alaska visit http://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/2013tables/outreachandenrollment/.

For information on applying for this funding opportunity visit http://bphc.hrsa.gov/outreachandenrollment/.

Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace begins October 1, 2013. 

To learn more visit http://www.HealthCare.gov/marketplace.