Planned Parenthood Launches Campaign to Educate Uninsured Women about New Insurance Plans
NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–October 1, 2013. Today, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) launched a national multimedia campaign to help inform and educate millions of uninsured Americans about the benefits and availability of new health insurance plans available for enrollment starting on October 1. The campaign includes online tools and information that will help women get enrolled and make informed decisions so they can choose a new insurance plan that works best for them. Enrollment begins today and runs through March.
“Today, millions of Americans without insurance are able to enroll in more affordable, quality health insurance plans, but that’s if they know that they can, how they should, or what happens if they don’t,” said Cecile Richards, PPFA president. “That’s why Planned Parenthood has launched a new website and practical tools to help educate eligible, uninsured women about the new health insurance options available to them.”
Tools include:
Online resources: PlannedParenthoodHealthInsuranceFacts.org.
A Guide for How to Interview Insurance Plans
An animated video that breaks down the basics of what to consider when looking for a plan.
The centerpiece of the campaign, PlannedParenthoodHealthInsuranceFacts.org, is an online resource that provides an overview of what the law means for women, a glossary of important terms related to the law and to health insurance, a cost calculator that helps visitors get a sense of what kind of financial assistance they may be eligible for, and specifics on what to consider as a woman in choosing a health insurance plan.
The education effort also includes a guide to help women think about the various questions they may want to consider when comparing plans – and specific guidance on how to ask insurers to get the answers they need; and a video with practical guidance and tips highlighting important factors to consider when deciding which health insurance plan is best for you.
In addition to the new suite of tools, the campaign includes educational materials that will be featured in the nearly 750 health centers across the country, neighborhood canvasses, enrollment events, and more.
Will the Government Shutdown Impact Enrollment?
Today’s government shutdown will not affect people’s ability to enroll in insurance plans and will not affect the assistance people will receive during the enrollment process. The funding and contracts that make it possible for people to start enrolling in new insurance plans today are a particular type of funding that was never going to be affected by this shutdown.
“We’re all disappointed by what’s happening in Congress – and we’re particularly alarmed by the Republican House leadership’s attempts to specifically roll back women’s access to a wide range of preventive health care – but the government shutdown will not affect the start of open enrollment in new insurance plans,” Richards said.
How Obamacare Will Impact Women
Women stand to benefit considerably from the health care law. They represent nearly half of the uninsured and have unique health care needs, particularly during their reproductive years. As part of the health care law, preventive health care needs for women, like birth control, annual well-women exams and cancer screenings, are available for free without a copay. And women will no longer have to pay more for health insurance than men and can no longer be denied insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions like breast cancer, having a C-section, or being the victim of domestic violence.
Nationally, nearly 12 million uninsured women between the ages of 19 and 44 will become eligible for new health insurance either through Medicaid or Marketplace plans. Planned Parenthood’s online resource on the health care law, plannedparenthoodhealthinsuracefacts.org, is the go-to destination for information for women about the new health care law and for help getting enrolled.
Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With nearly 750 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment.
Source: plannedparenthood.org
