June 2, 2022
The report reveals that legislation would reduce inequalities in the U.S. health care system
Today, Third Wai released a new report detailing many of the benefits of Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD) and Congressman Amy Bear, MD (D-California) of the Easy Enrollment in Health Care Act, legislation that simplifies health care enrollment for Americans by enabling them to begin the process of enrolling in health insurance when they file their federal income tax return. According to the report, which can be found here, the bill will reduce inequalities in our health system “by increasing insurance rates among people of color; improving health outcomes; reduction of medical debt; increase accessibility for non-English speakers; and increasing resources for underserved facilities. ”
The report emphasizes that health insurance is unavailable and that people often feel that applying for coverage is “unknown and difficult to navigate”. The report states that the Law on Easy Enrollment in Health Care would provide an “efficient model for the implementation of automatic coverage” and notes that the law is already based on the success seen in the Easy Enrollment program in Maryland. It concludes: “Finding and enrolling in health insurance can be confusing and difficult. Automatic coverage would remove that barrier for millions of uninsured people in America.
“The idea behind this law is simple but powerful: millions of Americans who already qualify for free or very cheap health insurance do not get it because of the barriers they face when enrolling. As this report shows, closing this gap and involving more people in plans for which they already qualify is key to providing better care for families and our communities. This bill is based on the success we saw in Maryland and would help spread its success both in our country and across the country. “I will look for every opportunity to adopt this common sense proposal to ensure that more Americans have access to quality health care.” said Senator Van Holen.
“As a doctor, I know first hand that health care is extremely personal and often very stressful for families to manage.” said representative Dr. Ami Bera “That is why it is crucial that Congress takes steps to reduce its extensive bureaucracy to make it easier for Americans to apply for health insurance.” The Law on Easy Enrollment in Health Care would help millions of uninsured Americans automatically enroll in affordable health insurance at the same time they file their federal tax returns. Congress must pass this common sense law for the American people. “
“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, millions of Americans have gained access to affordable health care, but gaps remain that prevent some of the most vulnerable communities.” The bill by Senator Chris Van Holen and Congressman Ami Bera, the Law on Easy Enrollment in Health Care, makes coverage automatic for millions of people who find insurance confusing or irresistible. This would improve health equity by raising insurance rates among people of color, improving health outcomes, reducing health debt, and increasing resources to care for patients who do not have enough services. said Ladan Ahmadi, deputy director of economic communications and healthcare policy at Third Wai.
More information on the Law on Easy Enrollment in Health Care can be found here. The complete Third Wai report on legislation can be found here.
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