As Coronavirus Cases Soar Past 10 Million, ACA Open Enrollment More Vital than Ever

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UnidosUS launches its eighth ACA awareness campaign

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on California v. Texas, the case that could decide the fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Nearly 90 percent of Latinos are concerned that the Supreme Court will strike down the ACA, according to a recent UnidosUS health poll. The latest legal challenge comes after repeated attempts to undermine and strike down critical provisions of the health care law, as the number of U.S. coronavirus cases soars past 10 million and more than 230,000 Americans have died.

With much at stake and a decision expected next summer, UnidosUS (formerly the National Council of La Raza), the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization, urged eligible Latinos to enroll in a health care plan during the 2021 ACA Open Enrollment period, which runs from November 1 to December 15, 2020.

During Open Enrollment, UnidosUS will have a flurry of online activity to raise awareness on key issues, including enrollment deadlines, ways to enroll and the availability of financial help. UnidosUS will also host an informative virtual town hall on Thursday, November 12, at 6 p.m. ET on the 2021 ACA Open Enrollment Period.

“UnidosUS has long worked to address health disparities, including closing historic gaps in coverage and care. There is greater urgency and import given this historic pandemic and economic crisis in which the Latino community has experienced disproportionate harm. For the eighth year now, we are executing a bilingual open enrollment awareness campaign and encouraging all who are eligible to enroll and have peace of mind knowing they and their loved ones will be covered in 2021,” said Steven Lopez, UnidosUS Senior Director of Health Policy. “At the same time, we will continue to fight for inclusive federal COVID-19 legislative relief and champion policies that protect, strengthen and expand quality, affordable health coverage and care for more of our nation’s children and families.”

Since 2013, the ACA has provided 20 million Americans, including four million Latino adults and 600,000 Latino children, with access to health coverage. However, a shorter enrollment window, drastic cuts to ACA navigator funds for in-person assistance and threatening immigration enforcement policies have hindered many eligible people from enrolling. Prior to the pandemic, 19 percent of Latinos were living without insurance, compared to 6 percent of non-Hispanic Whites. The number of uninsured people has increased following massive job losses due to COVID-19.

The 2021 Open Enrollment period will run from November 1 through December 15, 2020. To get started visit healthcare.gov or cuidadodesalud.gov.