Rep. Ron Kind and HHS Regional Director Kathleen Falk encourage Wisconsinites to find affordable, quality healthcare
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2014
Contact: Peter Knudsen
Phone: 202-225-5506
La Crosse, WI – U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Health and Human Services (HHS) Regional Director Kathleen Falk held a press conference in La Crosse today to discuss how the enrollment process is different and easier this year as well as where people can go to purchase quality, affordable health care coverage during the current open enrollment period. Rep. Kind and RD Falk were joined by Sandy Brekke, Executive Director of the St. Clare Health Mission in La Crosse and Lindsey Schwarz-Nichols with the La Crosse County Health Department, who elaborated on how the ACA has had a positive impact on the community.
“We’re here today to get the word out that quality health care is available and affordable. Consumers still have until February 15th to look at their options and choose a plan that meets their specific needs,” said Rep. Kind. “The La Crosse County Health Department and the St. Clare Health Mission do important work serving the community and helping connect people with health care who may have never had it before. Getting health care coverage means getting good preventive care, which keeps more people out of the hospital and lowers costs for everyone.”
“Nationwide, more than 4 million people signed up for health insurance through the Marketplace, from Oct. 1 thru Dec. 15. In Wisconsin 92,398 people selected plans. But we also know there are many more still without affordable health insurance and we are seeing that almost 90 percent of those without insurance do not know that now through Feb. 15 they have the opportunity to shop,” said US Dept. of Health and Human Services Region 5 Director Kathleen Falk. “This is why it is so important that we get the word out through events like the one here today. Additionally, we encourage people who enrolled last year to shop again this year, as there may be even better options available.”
Thanks to the ACA, 2.1 million Wisconsinites (including 580,000 children) are now free from worrying about lifetime limits on coverage, and more than 140,000 Wisconsin residents will benefit from over $3.5 million in rebates from insurance companies.
Open enrollment for signing up for health care ends on Feb. 15. Before that date, consumers can enroll for the first time, choose to stay in a current plan, or change to a new plan. Some consumers may find that certain plans offer more services, new financial assistance, or a broader range of doctors. The process is especially easy for consumers who are renewing coverage – up to 90% of the application will already be filled out based on what was completed last year.
Rep. Kind and RD Falk encouraged all consumers to visit Healthcare.gov, call the national hotline at (800) 318-2596 or find in-person assistance at a local health care provider to make sure that they are getting the best coverage possible.
