Record Marketplace Enrollment Demonstrates Demand for Affordable Health Coverage and Need to Protect Medicaid Coverage for Millions when Public Health Emergency Ends

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 25, 2022

CONTACT: Jack Cardinal, (781) 960-5208, jcardinal@communitycatalyst.org

“This progress must be protected and built upon.” -Emily Stewart

(BOSTON, MA) Today, the Biden administration announced that a record
16.3 million people
signed up for health care coverage in Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces during the latest
open enrollment period. Thanks to the work of health advocates, members of Congress and the
Biden administration to
make coverage more affordable, four out of five people are finding a
plan for $10 or less per month. Another year of record enrollment demonstrates the demand
for affordable, accessible health coverage. It also stresses that, when the
public health
emergency is unwoun
d and protections from losing Medicaid coverage due to changes in
income are revoked,the administration must provide oversight and states should partner with
community groups to ensure people do not wrongly lose their coverage.


Statement from Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst:

“Another year of record-breaking enrollment is a testament to the impact of improving the ACA
and making coverage more affordable. Community Catalyst was proud to partner with
organizations across the country in the successful push to make ACA coverage more affordable
and to make sure people have information about their coverage options and how to enroll.


“But our work is far from done. Enrollment advocacy and the public health emergency (PHE)
declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic have put affordable health insurance within reach for
many people for first time and we can’t pull the rug out from under them.As we near a likely
recession, communities urgently need resources and tools to build, promote and protect
financial and personal health and wellbeing of families. The two are intrinsically connected and
we need bold leadership and policy solutions to ensure families are not left footing the
emotional and physical costs of a health system that continues to put profits over people.


“This means working to protect the millions of people with Medicaid, including children, people
with disabilities and non-native English speakers, who will be at risk of losing coverage because
of confusing state enrollment processes when the PHE unwinds. We appreciate the Biden
administration’s efforts to facilitate a careful and deliberate unwinding, and will support our
state and community partners to ensure that families continue to have the coverage they want
and need to lead healthy lives.”


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About Community Catalyst:
Community Catalyst is a leading non-profit national health advocacy organization dedicated to
advancinga movement for race equity and health justice. We partner with local, state and
national advocates to leverage and build power so all people can influence decisions that affect
their health.Health systems will not be accountable to people without a fullyengaged and
organized community voice.That’s why we work every day to ensure people’s interests are
represented wherever important decisions about health and health care are made: in
communities, state houses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit

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