Health Care Enrollment of Latinos, Others Below Projections
Health Care Enrollment of Latinos, Others Below Projections
(Washington, D.C.) – Enrollment under the second year of the Affordable Care Act (ACA, also known as Obamacare) concluded on February 15, and while final numbers are not yet available, it appears that Latino enrollment is lower than advocates had hoped. In California, a reported 28 percent of subscribers are Latino – even though Latinos comprise 50 percent of the targeted uninsured population. Reports suggest Hispanic enrollment remains low nationally, for a variety of reasons – including high health care costs. To date, the White House has not proposed any legislative “fixes” for the problems with a system where millions are losing health insurance that they like and depend on, and Medicare cuts force insurers to drop doctors from their networks and limit patient choice.
The White House reports that more than 11 million have selected insurance plans this year – well below the projections for the law. It is estimated that fewer than half of the 11 million enrollees were previously uninsured. Additionally, with millions of Americans poised to face increasing penalties for not purchasing insurance, supporters of the law are now seeking a new enrollment period – which is not provided for under the law.
Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:
“Supporters of the health care law in Washington continue to proclaim this system a success despite higher premiums and deductibles, cancellation of popular health care plans, and enrollment numbers that are consistently below previous projections. They’re simply not facing the reality – the broken promises and the disappointed consumers. The law is not working as people were promised, and they will insist on reforming the reform. Support for change will only grow once millions begin paying tax penalties for a law they do not support.
Instead of burying their heads in the sand, those who brought us this unpopular system should be part of the solution. Let’s start that bipartisan process and begin consideration of the targeted solutions needed.”
For interviews with a LIBRE representative, please contact: Brian Faughnan, 703-678-4581 or Steven Cruz, 202-578-6173.
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