With Marketplace Open, Outreach Efforts Swing Into Full Gear
A navigator in Philadelphia finds strong interest among consumers in the health law's coverage options. Meanwhile in Minnesota, diverse groups of advocates prepare to help insurance buyers.
The Philadelphia Inquirer: Navigators, Counselors Supplying Answers
Nothing was going to squelch Kyle Rouse's enthusiasm. Not even the Healthcare.gov website's clogged Internet arteries could suppress the newly minted navigator's energy (Calandra, 10/6).
The Star Tribune: Diverse Crew Is Spreading The Word On MNsure
Minnesota is about to unleash one of the most unorthodox insurance sales forces in state history as it moves to the next phase of enrolling people for health coverage under the grand experiment known as Obamacare. Even before last week's launch of the MNsure online marketplace, state leaders had begun certifying thousands of Minnesotans who will get paid to help people sign up for health insurance. They come from groups as wide-ranging as the liberal Planned Parenthood family planning organization and the conservative Teen Challenge addiction program. While the initiative might inspire a new round of insurance jokes — have you heard the one about insurance salesmen being premium lovers? — MNsure officials said these "navigators" will be essential to the law's ultimate success because many of the nation's uninsured won’t pursue coverage unless someone finds them and explains their options (Olson and Crosby, 10/6).
CBS News: Marketing The Affordable Care Act
According to the most recent CBS News poll, 51 percent of Americans are still confused about the Affordable Care Act. State governments and non-profit groups are using video ads on TV and social media to try and explain Obamacare, especially to young adults. Elaine Quijano reports (Quijano, 10/6).