government
Collaborative formed to promote insurance options
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 3, 2011
Health care industry groups have formed a coalition called Enroll America to encourage the uninsured to participate in health plans.
Businesses, hospitals and organizations representing health professionals will aim to create an environment for optimal enrollment by 2014, which is when tens of millions of Americans will start being eligible for insurance subsidies under the health system reform law. The law also requires nearly everyone to obtain coverage starting in 2014 or pay a tax penalty.
Enroll America has outlined two goals: Promote ways to make enrollment easy, and organize campaigns to ensure that Americans know about insurance opportunities.
"Enroll America will play a critical role in ensuring health care access for millions of people who are one accident or diagnosis away from a medical crisis," said Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Assn., one of the eight groups on the collaborative's board of directors.
Board members also include Blue Shield of California, Catholic Health Assn. of the United States, Families USA, Kaiser Permanente, Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative, National Assn. of Community Health Centers and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/03/gvbf1003.htm.
