Senator Price Tells Calif. Health Benefits and Exchange Board to Make Consumers Priority

Senator Curren D. Price, Jr. (D-Los Angeles) appeared before the California Health Benefits Exchange Board January 17 to urge the new state agency to promote awareness and benefits of the Affordable Care Act in communities of color, which will be one of their largest groups of consumers. 

 As the Exchange rolls out its outreach plan, the senator ensured the Board that his office will be closely monitoring their efforts, especially during this, their “Consumer Outreach and Education Phase,” which is scheduled to take place during the first two quarters of 2013.

 “It is important that we learn from the mistakes of the past when the agencies failed to inform many of our disadvantage communities of the existence and benefits of new programs created by the state,” said Price.  “We must do what we can to ensure that information and resources are disseminated in ways that reach all communities of our great state.

 “An effective outreach strategy could be an important step to removing traditional barriers to enrollment and helping to ensure that more Californians will have access to affordable, quality health care.”

Starting next month, Covered California will launch their micro website where individuals and small businesses will be able to compare and enroll in health plans and get general information. Price will be adding that link to his website, as well as using his office resources to ensure that information about outreach grants and training for “Assisters” will be disseminated in a timely manner to his constituents.

The senator also informed the Board that he will be hosting at least two town hall meetings in his district to allow his constituents to gather information and have their questions answered.

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