By Andy Berke, A.C. Wharton, Karl Dean and Madeline Rogero
As mayors, we all know the health of our city is measured by the health of our citizens. That's why we're asking citizens to come together and get covered. For us, the promise of health care coverage provided by the Affordable Care Act is more than just a program or a policy. It is a way forward for our communities with low health indicators and a lack of access to affordable health care coverage. The benefits of quality, affordable health coverage cannot be overstated and getting our communities covered is vital as a city. You see, coverage means more than just healthier people -- it means a more productive workforce decreasing debt, and reducing the burden on our social safety net. Health care coverage provides a benefit to a city's citizens, workforce, and overall financial health while at the same time freeing up vital government resources.
We were thrilled that more than 151,000 Tennesseans found coverage through the health insurance marketplace during the first open enrollment period. Those 151,000 include many of our neighbors, family members, and friends who now have the peace of mind and security that comes with having health insurance. According to data released last month by Enroll America, the uninsured rate in each of our home counties fell 2-3 percentage points. That means, in just the first open enrollment period alone, about one-sixth of the population of Tennessee who were previously uninsured now have health care coverage.
Tennessee's uninsured rates will decline even more as our communities continue to have the opportunity to sign up for health coverage -- and the peace of mind and security that comes with it -- during the second open enrollment period, which began last weekend and goes through Feb. 15, 2015. But we need you to help make it happen. We all have a friend, family member, pew partner or co-worker that could benefit from getting covered -- and we're asking you to help.
All plans available through the marketplace cover all the essential benefits, including preventive care, hospitalizations, prescriptions, maternity care and mental health.
Financial help is available to make plans even more affordable. During the last open enrollment period, four in five Tennesseans who signed up for a marketplace plan received financial assistance. The average cost for those who received financial assistance was about $80, with many of them paying less than $50 a month for a health care plan.
If you or someone you know has questions about how much they could save, just visit GetCoveredTenn.org to access a convenient calculator to learn more.
We also urge anyone who gained coverage last time to check out their options again to check out new plans and financial help that may be available. It's easy -- just call 844-644-5443 to make a free appointment with a local, in-person expert who can help compare plans and decide the best option. Or go online with the new Get Covered Connector tool at GetCoveredTenn.org.
As the mayors of Tennessee's four largest cities, we are committed to helping our citizens learn about the health care options available. By working together, we can ensure a stronger, healthier city of Chattanooga and state of Tennessee.
Andy Berke is Chattanooga's mayor, Karl Dean is Nashville's mayor, Madeline Rogero is Knoxville's mayor, and A.C. Wharton is Memphis' mayor.