JACKSON, Miss- Starting October 1, Mississippians will have a new way to access health insurance coverage. Thousands of Mississippians will have
the opportunity to receive millions in tax credits to assist in the purchase of health plans offered in the new Health Insurance Marketplace. However, as a new brief highlights, many Mississippians are not even aware that this option will be available to them.
The brief, Educate, Engage, Enroll: Preparing for Enrollment in New Health Insurance Options, is based on a survey that was commissioned by the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program to understand the potential challenges that exist in enrolling Mississippians in new health insurance plans. It found that only 52% of Mississippians are aware that Mississippi will have a Health Insurance Marketplace and only 24% of Mississippians are aware that open enrollment in the Marketplace begins in October.
"Our brief highlights the challenges that advocates face in ensuring that Mississippians will access the health insurance coverage provided to them as a result of the Affordable Care Act," said Roy Mitchell, executive director of the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program. "Despite the challenges, there is an historic opportunity for the advocacy community and providers to come together and connect Mississippians with what could be life changing health insurance," said Mitchell.
Consumer advocates, providers, clergy, and other stakeholders have recognized the need to for a statewide campaign to successfully assist Mississippians in understanding and purchasing health plans in the new marketplace.
In response to these challenges, Cover Mississippi was formed as a new coalition aimed at educating and enrolling Mississippians in the new health insurance market place. Organizing members of Cover Mississippi include AARP Mississippi, American Association of University Women, American Cancer Society, Children's Defense Fund Southern Regional Office, Health Help Mississippi, Humana, Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center, Mississippi Center for Justice, Mississippi Economic Policy Center, Mississippi Health Advocacy Program, Mississippi Human Services Coalition, Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance, Mississippi Primary Health Care Association, Mississippi State Conference NAACP, Oak Hill Baptist Church, and Planned Parenthood Southeast.
Cover Mississippi also brings together diverse organizations and members ranging from health care providers, community based organizations, religious organizations, businesses and national groups.
"Coalition members will work together to provide Mississippians with accurate and easily accessible resources needed to help them make informed choices about their health coverage," said Robert M. Pugh, executive director of the Mississippi Primary Health Care Association.
The next 6 months, during the open enrollment period, will be the first step toward moving Mississippi from the bottom of the list of so many health indictors," said Mitchell. "The findings of this report highlight the enormity of the work to be done and necessity of a diverse coalition to carry it out."
To review a downloadable version of the entire brief, visit www.mhap.org. To learn more about Cover Mississippi call 601.353.0845.
