Consumer Assistance Programs Help 33,000 MA Families Determine Best Health Care Options and Access Benefits; Lawmaker Calls for Full Funding
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), dean of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, called for full funding of the Consumer Assistance Programs created under the Affordable Care Act, which help consumers navigate the health insurance industry and provide families the information they need to choose a healthcare plan that best fits their needs. In the letter co-signed by 13 other Members, Rep. Markey calls for $100 million for the programs – the level of funding authorized under the healthcare law. However, Congressional appropriators still need to allocate the money to ensure that the programs can continue serving consumers. The need for assistance continues to grow nationwide as new consumer protections and additional health insurance options become available under the healthcare law.
 
“Decisions about health care are some of the most challenging and complex decisions Americans face,” said Rep. Markey. “Consumer Assistance Programs provide families a trusted tour guide and an advocate, helping them navigate the maze of health insurance options and cut through the red tape. Continued federal support for these programs is vital to successful implementation of the new healthcare law.”
 
“Every day, consumer assistance programs field calls from people looking for more affordable health insurance, seeking help in fighting a denied claim, or trying to figure out what their insurance will cover,” said Robert Restuccia, Executive Director of Community Catalyst, a national non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to quality affordable health care for all. “The funding that Rep. Markey and others are fighting for will allow these programs to keep their doors open and continue helping families make informed decisions about their healthcare.”
 
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that 16 million people nationally will enroll in public coverage through expanded Medicaid programs or State Children’s Health Insurance Programs in 2014, while another 24 million people will purchase coverage through the newly formed state insurance Exchanges. Many of these people, a significant number of whom live in low-income and vulnerable communities, will require help understanding their options, enrolling in private or public insurance, and using their new coverage. To help smooth the transition, Congress included a provision to fund independent consumer assistance programs starting in 2010, but only appropriated funds for one year. The letter calls for funding to continue the programs, which are now operating in 35 states.
 
The HelpLine, the consumer assistance program operated by Health Care For All in Massachusetts and a recipient of Consumer Assistance Program funding, has been expanding its capacity to provide guidance for newcomers to the health insurance market, as well as those who have had coverage. The program reported a 400 percent increase in call volume in the months after the state’s health reform took effect in 2006.
 
A copy of the full letter can be found HERE .