Affordable Care Act Resources
Outreach and Enrollment Editorial Calendar
The editorial calendar outlines outreach opportunities through March 2014.
Outreach and Enrollment Campaign Planning Guide
This planning guide provides a checklist to help with campaign planning
Enrollment Message Platform
This message platform will help you communicate about outreach and enrollment in your states.
Talking about Health Insurance: An Overview of Messaging Research on Consumers and Enrolling in Health Insurance Coverage
This message research memo reviews existing enrollment messaging research and provides best practices.
The Medical Loss Ratio Toolkit
Community Catalyst has updated our MLR toolkit to help advocates publicize and message this important part of the ACA, which has already begun bringing down premium costs for consumers.
New Partners, New Savings
This memo outlines how the Medicaid expansion lowers state criminal justice costs, and how health care advocates can engage the mental health, substance use disorder and criminal justice communities in their Medicaid expansion campaigns.
Medicaid Matters for Rural America: Strategies for engaging rural constituents
This memo outlines why Medicaid matters for rural communities and provides tips and tools for engaging rural populations and communities in Medicaid expansion campaigns and outreach and enrollment efforts.
Responding to Insurance Rates
This toolkit contains policy advocacy and communications materials to help advocates develop and strengthen campaigns to strengthen response and review of premium rates.
Premium Rate Impact under the Affordable Care Act
Community Catalyst's fact sheet looks at some of the recent information on sudden premium increases due to coverage changes in the ACA. Between federal subsidies, Medicaid, CHIP, parental coverage, and catastrophic plans for young people, the scope of rat
New help from the ACA: CAPs, Navigators and Exchange Enrollee Assistance
Comparing CAPs (consumer assistance programs), Navigators, and other assistance in the Exchange -- How are they different and where do they overlap?
Strategies for a Robust Partnership or Federally Facilitated Exchange: Same Priorities, Different Strategies
This brief highlights how advocacy strategies will shift if a state pursues a Partnership or a Federally Facilitated Exchange model. While consumer goals are consistent across types of Exchange, each Exchange model will have different state and federal ro
Health Insurance Exchange Models
This fact sheet highlights the key features of each Exchange type and some issues for state advocates to keep in mind.
Talking Points for Federally Facilitated Exchange and Partnership Exchange Decisions
These talking points will help you craft your message for responding to a variety of scenarios as states alter their position on Exchanges.
Moving Forward on Exchanges Despite Roadblocks
Although on the surface states appear to be deadlocked on advancing state-based Exchanges, consumer advocates across the country have been actively involved in the process of building Exchanges in their states.
FAQ: Does the ACA Help Families with Hospital Bills?
Recently, the IRS released draft rules that will further regulate hospital behavior, with some real wins for patients and families. This FAQ answers some common questions about the draft rules.
Summary of Proposed Rules for Non-Profit Hospitals' Financial Assistance, Billing and Collection Practices
Low- and middle-income families can be financially devastated by medical debt. The Affordable Care Act requires hospitals fufill certain requirements to protect low- and middle-income patients from medical debt. Community Catalyst outlines the rules IRS h
The Case for Protecting Medicaid
Medicaid, a program that is more efficient than private insurance, is the wrong place to look for ways to reduce the federal deficit. Cutting the program would not only jeopardize the health of children, seniors and people with disabilities, it would harm
Guide to Recess Activities to Protect Medicaid & Medicare
Medicaid and Medicare are under attack, and August recess provides an opportunity to educate Members of Congress about the importance of Medicaid and Medicare and of protecting them against cuts this year, and to raise the profile of the programs more bro
Essential Health Benefits: Transparency Is Top Priority
States must select an essential health benefits benchmark plan by September 2012 or the federal government will select a benchmark for the state. Transparency is one way to support all consumers through the state's selection of a benchmark and beyond. Tra
Medical Loss Ratio Advocacy Toolkit
We've put together a toolkit on the medical-loss ratio to help you publicize and promote the rebates. We encourage you to use this public education opportunity to promote the ACA and what it does for consumers.
Supreme Court Ruling on Medicaid: Challenges and Opportunities for State Advocates
The Supreme Court's ruling on the Affordable Care Act was a major victory. States must now move swiftly to implement the law and provide affordable health care to millions of Americans. But the Court's decision also introduced a new challenge: it opened t
Letter to Secretary Sebelius Regarding the Dual Demonstration Projects
As states have rapidly rolled out their proposals, we have become increasingly concerned that claims of potential savings and/or the speed with which those savings can be achieved is being overstated. In particular, we have three closely related concerns:
Assessing Consumer Protections in the Final Exchange Regulations
Based on Community Catalyst's work with advocates to develop state Exchanges around the country, we have updated a document that highlights 10 important priorities for consumers.
Health Insurance 101
This go-to resource of private insurance provides an overview, information about ACA provisions, other national law and key regulation concepts.
Promoting Racial and Ethnic Health Equity Through Exchanges
Health disparities among racial and ethnic groups are persistent and drive up the cost of care for everyone. Despite national and local efforts to address disparities, people of color continue to experience poorer health than their white counterparts. He
Principles for Essential Health Benefits Advocacy
Given the wide-ranging implications that the essential health benefits package will have on consumers, we suggest using principles to unite consumer groups in their advocacy for a robust essential health benefits package.
Three Steps to Save Billions of Health Care Dollars
This paper outlines Community Catalyst's practical approach to reduce federal health spending on Medicare by providing incentives for quality and efficiency.
Shaping Medicaid Managed Care Expansions to Better Serve Consumers
Medicaid managed care can provide opportunities for improved coordination, quality, and efficiency of services, but it comes with risks for consumers. This document provides principles to help consumer advocates work for managed care that best serves seni
Strengthening Consumer Assistance: A Critical Element of Successful Health Care Reform Implementation
Newly enrolling 32 million people into health care plans will be a complex process. Consumer assistance programs can help educate consumers about reforms, enroll individuals in the plans, and provide critical feedback to policymakers about new programs.
Best Practices for Creating Consumer-Oriented Exchanges: Strategies for 2012
In working with advocates in states that have passed - or are working to pass - an Exchange law, Community Catalyst has identified common strategies that advance consumer priorities.
The Essential Health Benefits Process: What Advocates Need to Know Now
As the HHS determines what will be part of the essential health benefits package (EHB), advocates will have the opportunity for input. This brief gives an overview of EHB and the process for developing the standards.
Essential Health Benefits: A Federal Strategy Guide for Advocates
The new health law created an important consumer protection: by establishing a package of essential health benefits - or a floor for what health plans must cover. Advocates have a key role to play in making sure they are strong and robust.
Assessing Consumer Protections in the July 2011 HHS Exchange Regulations
Based on Community Catalyst's work to help develop state Exchanges around the country, this document highlights 10 important priorities for consumers and outlines key areas that require stronger protections or clarification in the federal regulations.
Letter to President Obama urging him to protect Medicaid in deficit reduction plans
Community Catalyst joined 99 other organizations in signing on to the National Health Law Program's letter to President Obama urging him to protect Medicaid from cuts during deficit reduction negotiations.
Leveling the Playing Field: Private Insurance Oversight in the Exchanges
This presentation gives an overview on adverse selection, rate review and rating rules in the Exchanges.
A Consumer's Quick Guide to the Affordable Care Act's Private Health Insurance Reforms
This chart is an easy guide for learning about the ACA's private insurance reforms.
Navigators PowerPoint
This short presentation about Navigators can help educate coalition partners or grassroots leaders.
Template letter to the commissioner on Navigators
This cover letter can be used to send the Navigator brief and FAQ to your insurance commissioner.
Navigators FAQ Template
This one-pager can be customized to engage coalition members or policymakers in a discussion about the importance of establishing a Navigator that will truly meet the needs of your state.
Navigators: Guiding People Through the Exchange
Navigators are critical to helping people who purchase coverage through their state Exchange understand their options and assist with enrollment.
Graduate Medical Education: An Untapped Tool for Primary Care Workforce Expansion
By redesigning the way we pay for graduate medical education, we can expand the number of primary care physicians to provide better care and lower health care costs. This document makes the case and outlines a strategy.
Applying for Community Transformation Grants
This fact sheets answers basic questions about the Community Transformation Grants process and links to other resources.
Rate Review: A Way to Limit Increases to Health Insurance Premiums
This fact sheet provides an overview of rate review basics and how rate review protects consumers from unfair prices and unexpected increases in premiums.
Template for Creating State-Specific Rate Review Fact Sheets
The chart provides general arguments using national data to explain why rate review is important and questions that will guide state-level research.
Caps Miss the Mark
Concern is growing about projected rising long-term debt which is driven largely by anticipated growth in health care costs. Many potential solutions to the debt problem are under discussion in political and policy circles.
Health Care Cost Containment: Getting It Right
This chart guides you through options on cost containment and outlines top-level approaches, problems and example solutions.
A Better Path to Solving the Debt Problem: Capping Federal Health Expenditures Misses the Mark
Concern is growing about projected rising long-term debt which is driven largely by anticipated growth in health care costs. Many potential solutions to the debt problem are under discussion in political and policy circles.
Smart Payment Reforms Can Reduce Costs and Improve Quality
In response to the fiscal pressures created by the current economy, at least 25 states have proposed deep, identifiable cuts in health care in FY2012. Such cuts would jeopardize access to needed services for America's most vulnerable populations. Payment
Health Care Compact: The Latest Challenge to the Affordable Care Act
States' rights advocates are leading a new effort to sidestep the Affordable Care Act (ACA), this time using a legal contract among states.
Exchanges: Top Ten Priorities for Consumer Advocates
This list of priorities will begin to answer some of the many outstanding questions in order to help state advocates build strong Exchanges that help consumers' ability to access quality, affordable health insurance across the country.
An Advocate's Guide to HHS Letter Defining State Medicaid Flexibility
As states struggle to balance their budgets, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a letter reminding governors of a variety of policy levers they have at their disposal to reduce Medicaid expenditures.
Capping Federal Health Expenditures Does Not Reduce Costs -- It Merely Shifts Them
While short-term growth in U.S. debt is primarily caused by the recession, concern is growing about rising long-term debt which is driven largely by projected growth in health care costs. Many potential solutions are under discussion in political and poli
Eliminating the Maintenance of Effort Requirement: The Wrong Solution to a Real Problem
States are facing significant budget stress. In response, Republican governors recently asked the White House and Congressional leadership to eliminate the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirement in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
NAIC's Model State Law: Dependent Coverage for Individuals to the Age of 26
The NAIC has been developing Model State Laws for over 100 years to encourage regulation uniformity. This fact sheets on the minimum requirements on dependent coverage that states must have in place to comply with the ACA will help advocates and legislato
NAIC's Model State Law: Elimination of Pre-exisitng Condition Exclusions for Children
The NAIC has been developing Model State Laws for over 100 years to encourage regulation uniformity. This fact sheets on the minimum requirements for the elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions for children that states must have in place to compl
NAIC's Model State Law: Grievances and Appeals
The NAIC has been developing Model State Laws for over 100 years to encourage regulation uniformity. This fact sheets on the minimum requirements on grievances and appeals that states must have in place to comply with the ACA will help advocates and legis
NAIC's Model State Law: Lifetime and Annual Benefit Limits
The NAIC has been developing Model State Laws for over 100 years to encourage regulation uniformity. This fact sheets on the minimum requirements for lifetime and annual benefit limits that states must have in place to comply with the ACA will help advoca
NAIC's Model State Law: Prohibitions on Rescissions of Coverage
The NAIC has been developing Model State Laws for over 100 years to encourage regulation uniformity. This fact sheets on the minimum requirements for prohibitions on rescissions of coverage that states must have in place to comply with the ACA will help a
NAIC's Model State Laws: Fact Sheets to Help Protect and Improve State Regulation
The NAIC has been developing Model State Laws for over 100 years to encourage regulation uniformity. This series of fact sheets on specific regulations will help advocates and legislators understand the laws and identify opportunities to improve them.
New Funds to Improve Health Care in Your State: Opportunities in the Affordable Care Act
The ACA created grants and programs that can save states money or bring additional federal dollars to the state for health system improvements. This document describes new programs available in 2011 or the beginning of 2012.
Top Ten: What states can do now to make implementation of the Affordable Care Act a success
To help prioritize your implementation work, this document suggests critical issues on which to focus for the next several months. It links to resources and additional information to help guide your work.
Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Strategies for Successful State Implementation of the Affordable Care Act
Realizing the potential benefits of the Affordable Care Act will require a substantial investment in ongoing advocacy at the state level, supported and complemented by federal policy advocacy and coordinated technical support. This report describes: the s
Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Executive Summary
Realizing the potential benefits of the Affordable Care Act will require a substantial investment in ongoing advocacy at the state level, supported and complemented by federal policy advocacy and coordinated technical support. This report describes: the s
Who is the Affordable Care Act helping in your community?
This fact sheet outlines who is being helped by the ACA and offers brief descriptions of current provisions.
Legal 101: The Road to the Supreme Court
This flowchart outlines the judicial process and shows points where advocates can make their voices heard.
Talking to Your Audience: Which Provisions Resonate With Which Groups?
This document breaks down target audiences who may support the ACA, and outlines the current provisions that will appeal to them. Link these provisions to real life stories to make the most effective case for supporting the health care law.
Talking to Reporters about Congressional Repeal Efforts
A guide for preparing to answer reporters' questions on repeal efforts.
Medicaid Health Homes: A new state option can improve patient care, save money and capture additional federal dollars
In January 2011, states can qualify for two years of enhanced federal funding to help set up health homes to better coordinate the care of Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic physical or mental illness.
Top Ten: What state advocates can do now to make implementation of the Affordable Care Act a success
The document outlines priorities issue areas where state advocates can have a great impact on implementation over the next several months, giving a brief overview and links to resources.
Legal Quick Facts
A brief on what you need to know about the legal challenges against the Affordable Care Act
State-based Consumer Assistance Programs: On-the-ground and up-to-the-minute health care information
Consumer assistance programs provide real help for real people who are navigating the health care system, sometimes for the first time.
Building A Case for Medicaid
This guide will help advocates convince policymakers that Medicaid helps people and is popular; and present policymakers with savings and revenue options to support Medicaid.
Patient's Bill of Rights Under the Affordable Care Act: An Overview of the Rules on Consumer Protections
An overview of the patient protections in private insurance that went into effect on September 23, 2010 and suggestions on how to improve consumer protections.
Best Practices from the States: Responses to Legal Challenges to ACA
Lawmakers in 40 states have proposed referendums that would block provisions of ACA and 20 states have joined to sue the federal government over the constitutionality of the law. There are many ways for advocates to show public opposition to these challen
The New Health Law and Private Insurance: What are Opportunities and Challenges for States?
The Affordable Care Act makes significant changes to private insurance practices. This memo is a roadmapof the private insurance work ahead. It outlines the private insurance changes in the law and provides campaign ideas for advocates.
State Planning Activities for Health Benefit Exchanges: Checklist for Consumer Engagement
The inclusion of the consumer voice in the design and implementation of the state insurance Exchanges is crucial to ensuring they meet the needs of individuals and families seeking affordable and adequate choices of coverage.
Steps for Consumer Engagement on Private Insurance Reforms in the Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) contains sweeping reforms of some of the worst health insurance industry abuses, and makes changes that will allow individuals and families to obtain and keep quality health care coverage. This fact sheet provides strategies
Alert: MLR Regulations are a Win for Consumers
Dear Partners, Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released strong regulations on medical loss ratios (MLRs). Many advocates have closely followed and weighed in on the MLR issue. We are pleased HHS focused on the needs of individu...
Community Transformation Grants
Community transformation grants are the major provision in the Affordable Care Act designed to address the root causes of health disparities.
Defending Medicaid In Hard Times: A Guide for State Advocates
As states face budget shortfalls, Medicaid is often a target for cuts. This guide distills lessons from Medicaid defense work in a number of states and provides tools to fight cuts and introduce the most promising alternatives.
Guide to Responding to the HHS Request for Comments on Exchange Provisions in the Affordable Care Act
A Community Catalyst guide to help those responding to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (OCIIO) request for public comments on the Exchange provisions in the ACA. The guide answers a
Considerations for Implementing an Exchange
A Community Catalyst presentation on what states should consider when designing and implementing Exchanges.
Premium and Cost-Sharing Subsidies in the Affordable Care Act
Under the Affordable Care Act, low- and moderate-income families without access to affordable employer-sponsored insurance will qualify for sliding-scale tax credits to help them afford health care coverage. These tax credits, available starting in 2014,
Making Health Reform Work: State Consumer Assistance Programs
Consumer Assistance is a critical element of the new health care law that will help people access information and understand their new health care options. This report highlights how consumer assistance programs provide a range of essential services to he
Protecting Consumers, Encouraging Community Dialogue: ACA Requirements for Non-profit Hospitals
This summary analyzes the ACA requirements private non-profit hospitals must meet and the increased reporting and oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance and transparency.
Summary of the Affordable Care Act
The summary outlines the provisions in the Affordable Care Act to expand access to quality, stable, affordable health care; slow the growth of health care costs; and improve the quality of care.
Health Law Implementation Public Education: Template Communications Plan
Given the challenging political environment, public education about the ACA's value is more important now than ever. Our sample communications plan outlines public education activities advocates can undertake for Sept. 23, and beyond. Along with the supp
Community Benefits: Protect Consumers and Strengthen Dialogue between Hospitals and Communities
This brief outlines the ongoing importance of the safety net, and gives advocates steps to promote stronger standards for hospital community benefits programs to strengthen both consumer protections and relationships between hospitals and their communitie
Comments to the IRS on New Requirements for Tax Exempt Hospitals
Community Catalyst and 66 other organizations' letter to the IRS providing comments on the new requirements for hospitals.
Individual Coverage Requirements FAQs
Community Catalyst and the Georgetown Center for Children and Families prepared this Q & A document to provide policymakers and advocates with a detailed explanation of why the requirement was included in the new health law and how it will work.
Fighting Legal Challenges to Health Care Reform
National health care reform is already facing opposition on the state level. This updated resource explains what reform provisions are likely to come under attack and provides legal arguments and talking points to defend the bill.
How to Build and Maintain Relationships with State Officials
Maintaining and cultivating relationships with the national health care reform implementation decision-makers will ensure you - and consumers - have a say in how the laws are implemented in your state.
Quick Wins: Who Will Be Helped Right Away by National Health Care Reform?
This outlines, by specific population, the immediate improvments health care reform will bring to real people in our communities.
The New Health Law Will Secure Coverage and Improve Quality of Care
The Affordable Care Act will help families by: creating strong consumer protections, containing health care costs, lowering the cost insurance policies, improving choice and competition and requiring greater accountability from insurance companies.
Sign-on letter to HHS Secretary about consumer assistance recommendations
To truly help Americans navigate the health care system, consumer assistance programs must be adequately funded, be independent of political bias, and be culturally competent for the community they serve.
State Implementation of National Health Care Reform: Strategies for Public Outreach
As national health care reform moves to the states, it's important to have both proactive strategies for engaging the public and reactive strategies against attacks on the law.
Health Equity Policy Options
Achieving health equity will require a sustained effort using many policy and organizing strategies. This document provides advocates engagement ideas by outlining a range of interim goals and strategies, including some new opportunities resulting from na
Building on the Foundation: Consumer Advocacy's Role in Successful Health Care Reform
This report, funded by the Public Welfare Foundation, outlines the substantial effort required to implement national health care reform, the key role of advocates, and the vital need for funder support.
Legal Challenges to Health Care Reform are Unfounded
This one-pager outlines the reasons the referendums, laws or state constitutional amendments to block national health care reform are without legal merit.
Improving the Health of our Communities: Promote the Availability of Healthy Food in All Neighborhoods
This brief outlines the reasons access to nutritious foods is critical to good health, and offers action steps to bring healthy food to all neighborhoods as well as successful examples.
Promoting Cultural Awareness and Language Assistance
Millions of Americans lack quality health care because they have trouble communicating with their providers. This brief outlines best practices, opportunties for advocates to strengthen cultural and linguistic competency, and examples of successful advoca
Protect and Target Federal Funding for Safety Net Hospitals
Despite the historic national health care reform, millions of immigrants and other people will remain uninsured and will continue to rely on the safety net for their care. Advocates must ensure that Medicaid DSH funds for safety-net hospitals are actually
Using Data to Track and Reduce Health Disparities in Medicaid
This brief outlines opportunities for advocates to obtain and use data to address health disparities, along with action steps and examples.
Health Care Reform: A full circle solution
This one-page graphic shows how the pieces of comprehensive health care reform are interconnected.