Health law's success hinges on whether the goal of enrolling 7 million is met -- making outreach strategies key

Oct 15 2013

News outlets examine the work of navigators and other efforts to enroll people without health insurance into new coverage under the health law.

The Texas Tribune/New York Times: For Aid Insuring Latinos, Groups Look Close to Home
Though they make up roughly a third of the state's population, Latinos account for nearly two-thirds of the more than six million Texans without health insurance. But in the 13 days since a federal insurance marketplace aimed at helping the uninsured find coverage opened, health care advocates across the state have encountered common obstacles in getting Latinos registered, including limited access to computers and the lack of an e-mail address (Aaronson, 10/12).

USA Today: Pushing Health Care In USA's Poorest City
Today's door-to-door insurance salesmen may seem worlds apart from the residents of these often-tattered row houses, but they share one big thing in common. They haven't been able to afford insurance either. They face the daunting task of helping to convince the nearly 200,000 uninsured residents of Philadelphia County that they can -; and should -; buy it now. The new exchange's success, the cornerstone of the Affordable Care Act, will hinge on whether it can meet the federal goal of 7 million enrollees, but also on whether it can sign up enough healthy younger people like these canvassers to make up for all the ailing older ones (O'Donnell, 10/12).

Kaiser Health News: Geography Is Destiny When It Comes To Enrolling In Health Insurance Exchanges
Alexandra Dixon threads her way among the people waiting to see a doctor at the Community Clinic, Inc. in Silver Spring, Maryland. She introduces herself with a bright smile and an outstretched hand: "I'm one of the new health care navigators. Have you heard of the Affordable Care Act?" While some folks mumble, "um, no I don't think so," Dixon is nonetheless booked up with appointments. She's one of 350 people in Maryland who have been hired and certified to help consumers enroll in the new health insurance options that are offered as part of the health law (Gold, 10/13).

The Associated Press: Detroit-Area Group Boosts Hours Of Obama 'Navigators' As Health Care Sign-Ups Rise
Amid the problems and political finger-pointing since the launch of online health care exchanges, Adnan Hammad sees progress. The community health director at Dearborn-based nonprofit organization ACCESS said his staff has helped hundreds of people enroll in plans under the federal health care overhaul and educated thousands about the available options (Karoub, 10/13).