Working Together on the Success of the ACA: A National Plan of Outreach, Education, and Enrollment for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders - the Community-Based Organization Perspective

There are approximately 1.7 million uninsured Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAs & NHPIs) in the U.S.  In order for successful enrollment of this population in the new coverage options provided through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it is necessary to have an effective and coordinated plan of action.  Four national organizations serving the needs of AA & NHPI communities across the United States have come together to create a national plan for ACA outreach, education, and enrollment.  These four groups are working with approximately 70 community health centers and community-based organizations in 21 states to educate at least 250,000 AAs and NHPIs  about the ACA and enroll at least 50,000 in coverage during the first open enrollment period.  This collaborative effort is specifically targeting limited-English proficient individuals, families with mixed immigration status, healthy young adults, and small business owners and employees within the AA & NHPI community. 

This presentation will provide a summary of this national effort by sharing important experiences from the collective work, describing strengths and challenges of developing this collaborative, highlighting success stories and significant barriers faced by the partner organizations, and talking about the advocacy work to improve the next open enrollment period.  APIAHF will share challenges and success stories from their 13 community-based organizations and speak about the national advocacy efforts on behalf of the Collaborative’s work.  Participants will learn strategies for success collaboration and how to develop a coordinated advocacy strategy to improve the ACA enrollment process and related services.