Nonprofit targets uninsured
The latest period for open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act got under way a little over a week ago, and supporters and detractors of what has come to be known as “Obamacare” will be looking closely at how many people sign up for or renew their health insurance once open enrollment wraps up in February.
A nonprofit organization dedicated to getting the uninsured enrolled under the Affordable Care Act set up shop in the ballroom at Citizens Library in Washington Saturday to offer assistance and advice to individuals if they wanted to purchase coverage.
For the first time in this cycle, Enroll America planted its flag in Washington County, with similar events planned in the weeks ahead.
Though it was quiet Saturday afternoon, Beth Humphries, a field organizer with Enroll America, said it was more hectic in the morning, though she didn’t elaborate on the number of people who signed up.
Along with personnel from Enroll America, “assisters” from Cornerstone Care, a chain of community health centers which has an outlet in Washington, were on hand to counsel visitors on what plans would best fit their needs and budget.
“Things are going well, but we’re still looking for people,” Humphries explained.
It’s estimated that 10 percent of residents in Washington County are not covered under any kind of insurance plan, said Julia Cusick, a spokeswoman for Enroll America. That’s just a bit less than the state as a whole, where 12 percent of residents do not have health care coverage.
Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services estimated 9 million to 9.9 million people would get insurance through marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act. According to Cusick, “I think it’s difficult to project about the number of people who will sign up.”
The event at Citizens Library was one of three Enroll America hosted throughout the region Saturday, with the others being on Pittsburgh’s East Side and in Turtle Creek, an Allegheny County borough. Those attending the events are asked to bring the Social Security numbers and birth dates of all individuals who would be enrolled under a plan, along with employer and income information.
The group is due to return to Citizens Library Jan. 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. In the meantime, residents can also call Cornerstone Care at 724-228-7400 for advice on signing up, Cusick said.