Recently, Acacia Bamberg Salatti, Acting Director, Center for Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, posted an article detailing ways congregations and communities could get involved in increasing awareness of the Affordable Care Act and how to sign up for insurance for those who are without. We have included excerpts from that article below. There is some good information that you can share with your faith community and neighborhood partnerships.

• The new Health Insurance Marketplaces open for enrollment in every state on October 1^st, giving individuals, families, and small business owners a simple, convenient way to find coverage that fits their budget. With a single application, people will be able to see and compare all their coverage options. There will also be tax credits that can save people money on their premiums right away. Americans who like the coverage they currently have can keep it – and the law will give them a better value for that coverage by improving benefits and protections. In addition, the Affordable Care Act makes a tremendous investment in health centers, which play a vital role in helping Americans across the country access quality care.

  Here are seven steps faith and community leaders like you can take to help connect members of your congregations and communities to the care they need:

  • Tell young adults in your communities and congregations about www.healthcare.gov and how they can get health coverage to fit their needs and budget.
  • Write an article, blog or op-ed in your congregation’s newsletter and/or for posting on a website.
  • Have congregational and community leaders and members participate in educational webinars, and then educate others. The HHS Partnership Center webinars can be found here: http://www.hhs.gov/partnerships/aca_act_and_community/index.html. Training materials can be found on http://marketplace.cms.gov.
  • Sign up to receive updates on the Health Insurance Marketplace at www.HealthCare.gov, www.CuidadoDeSalud.gov and http://marketplace.cms.gov.
  • Host an Enrollment Sunday in October or November, engaging a Navigator or Certified Assistance Counselor (CAC) in your community to help sign up those who do not have health insurance.
  • Include a website badge on how to access health insurance on your organization’s website. Badges can be found here:http://marketplace.cms.gov/getofficialresources/widgets-and-badges/mp-badges-english.html. Each badge links towww.healthcare.gov.
  • Re-post information from the www.HealthCare.gov Facebook page to your organization’s Facebook page. Go to www.HealthCare.gov or www.CuidadoDeSalud.gov for more information.

As always, please feel free to email the Partnerships@hhs.gov or call them at 202-358-3595 to let us know how they can support your work.