For Immediate Release:
December 1, 2021
Media Contact:
Karissa Hand
Cell: 508-406-8186
khand@melwoodglobal.com
STATEMENT:
Health Care For All Applauds $5 Million for MassHealth Redetermination and Vaccination Outreach Campaign in ARPA Spending
Health Care For All will lead campaign to help eligible individuals keep health insurance coverage and increase COVID vaccination rates
BOSTON – Health Care For All applauds the Massachusetts legislature for reaching an agreement on an American Rescue Plan Act spending package that includes $5 million in funding for a MassHealth redetermination and vaccination outreach campaign. The House and Senate will vote on the package this week.
“MassHealth coverage has been a lifeline for Massachusetts families during the pandemic, ensuring they can maintain access to affordable health insurance coverage despite changes in employment and income. However, more than two million individuals could be at risk of losing coverage if they don’t complete the required paperwork,” said Health Care For All Executive Director Amy Rosenthal. “Health Care For All is eager to partner with MassHealth and EOHHS to keep all eligible individuals enrolled in the program.
“Health Care For All has a proven track record of running successful community-based outreach campaigns, most recently as part of the state’s Vaccine Equity Initiative, and we are honored that the legislature has trusted us to lead another initiative that is crucial to the health and wellbeing of Massachusetts communities,” said Rosenthal. “We’d especially like to thank House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues and Vice Chair Cindy Friedman for their leadership to see through this critical investment.”
There are currently 2.1 million individuals enrolled in MassHealth. When the COVID Medicaid protection is lifted, the majority of these individuals will need to take action to verify eligibility for health insurance coverage or risk losing it. Right now, only 10-15 percent of MassHealth enrollees are responding to renewal notices, underscoring the urgent need for a public awareness and assistance campaign.
The spending package dedicates $5 million for Health Care For All to lead a linguistically- and culturally-appropriate, multi-faceted outreach and education campaign to help eligible individuals keep their health insurance coverage and increase COVID-19 vaccination rates. Campaign strategies will include community and faith-based organizational partnerships, local ethnic and social media campaigns, and one-on-one outreach.
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