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Low Latino Enrollment Under Health Care Law

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Low Latino Enrollment Under Health Care Law
Data Show Health Costs Rising After Enactment 

(Washington, D.C.) – Less than a year ago, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projected that 13 million people would sign up for coverage in the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare) insurance exchanges in 2015. Now – with the enrollment period about to end – proponents of the law are touting its success based on projections that final enrollment may reach 10 million. It is not clear whether this projection is more reliable than the numbers announced by the White House during the first year of the exchanges, which turned out to be significantly inflated. Press reports however, suggest that Latino enrollment in particular, remains lower than expected this year despite increased outreach efforts – a fact which may be due to the heavy cost burden being imposed on Latinos under this new system. The data show that the system generally is extremely costly for consumers – either due to high premiums, high deductibles, or a combination.

Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:

“It’s been nearly 5 years since the president’s health care law was signed, and the end of the second year of enrollment under the law is here. Signups under the law remain disappointing – with far fewer subscribers than the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office and other experts projected. Latino enrollment in particular, is far lower than expected – despite constant pressure from supporters of the law. 

For years, we have been told that fixes for the law are coming. It’s clear those promises were nothing but politics – and the hard data clearly show that the law is simply too expensive for Latinos, and for others. Health reform can work – but not this way. It will take an admission by the law’s supporters that it simply isn’t working. It’s time for a bipartisan approach and targeted solutions.”

For interviews with a LIBRE representative, please contact: Brian Faughnan, 703-678-4581 or Steven Cruz, 202-578-6173

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