Individuals and families throughout Chattanooga will have the opportunity to enroll for health care benefits through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). During the first two enrollment periods, more than 13,000 Hamilton County residents enrolled in quality, affordable health coverage through ACA. Even as these enrollment numbers represent historic gains for Southeast Tennessee, there are still too many Chattanoogans who are living without affordable health coverage.
We all know health insurance is crucial to quality of life. As a lifeline that helps thousands of Tennessee families, elected leaders and community members should do all they can to make health coverage a way of life. As mayor of Chattanooga, I want to ensure all our residents have the opportunity to learn more about their health care options for themselves and their families.
Through Jan. 31, 2016, uninsured Chattanoogans will be able to enter the health insurance marketplace and select a plan that fits their needs and budget. And these plans are affordable, thanks to the financial help that is available to lower your monthly premiums. During the last enrollment period, 85 percent of Tennesseans received financial help to lower their premiums, paying an average of just $102 per month for their plan.
To make the best health care decisions for yourself and your family, there are people in our area that will meet with you – for free – to walk you through your options, answer your questions, and help you with the enrollment process. To find someone near you call 211, or just visit GetCoveredTenn.org, enter your ZIP code, and schedule an appointment.
In the coming months, I – along with the mayors of Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville – will be working with Enroll America and Get Covered Tennessee to make it as easy as possible for every resident of our great cities to access the information they need to get covered.
In the coming days, enrollment events will occur across our city, including on Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Chattanooga Recreational Center. You can book an appointment now for this event, and many more, at getcoveredtenn.org or by calling 211.
I firmly believe that every resident should have access to quality, affordable health coverage – and I hope you will join me in making that a reality in Chattanooga.
Andy Berke, a former state senator, is mayor of Chattanooga.