Health Care Blog

People Don't Hear These Stories Often Enough. Let's Change That.

Posted by lholst on December 4, 2013 at 4:46 PM EDT

You've probably been hearing a lot about health reform and HealthCare.gov these past few months.

Here's the bottom line: Reform is improving the lives of millions of Americans, right now. Here are just a few of their stories.

And if you don't think this sort of thing gets shared often enough, then pass it on:

Got a story of your own to share? You can do that here, too.

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1.46 Million Hardworking Americans Can Now Find Peace of Mind in Medicaid

Posted by David Simas on December 3, 2013 at 5:25 PM EDT

Today, HHS released its first monthly report on Medicaid enrollment and enrollment in the Children’s Health Insurance Program – and it’s good news. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act and decisions by Democratic and Republican elected officials in 26 states to expand their Medicaid programs, 1.46 million hardworking Americans have applied for and been deemed eligible to enroll in quality, affordable health care.

More hardworking Americans will know the security of health care coverage in states that chose to expand Medicaid than those states that chose to recklessly and irresponsibly deny health coverage to millions of Americans. In fact, if every state expanded Medicaid coverage, over 5.4 million more Americans—and more than 1 million in Texas alone—would get health coverage. And today’s report showed that states that expanded Medicaid have seen over a 15 percent increase in applications for Medicaid and CHIP, compared to the average monthly enrollment in the three preceding months. While states that refused to expand Medicaid only saw a 4.1 percent increase in applications.

This spike in applications confirmed what we have always known: hardworking Americans need and want the security of affordable health coverage.

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Announcing the Winners of the Healthy Young America Video Contest

Posted by Erin Lindsay on December 2, 2013 at 9:09 PM EDT

Back in August 2013, Young Invincibles, in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, launched the Healthy Young America Video Contest, an effort to mobilize young people to help educate and inform one another about the Affordable Care Act. Participants submitted their videos, the public weighed in, and a finalist was selected in each of three categories: "You Are Not Invincible," original song performance, and animation.

Erin McDonald was announced as the overall Grand Prize winner with her video "Forget about the Price Tag" in a Google+ Hangout featuring Kal Penn and White House Health Care policy expert Christen Linke Young on December 2.

During the Hangout, Christen and Kal also helped preview the White House Youth Summit coming up on December 4 and took questions about what the Affordable Care Act means for young people. You can tune into the Youth Summit starting at 2:00 pm ET on whitehouse.gov/live.

Watch Erin's video below, and also check out videos from finalists in the other two categories.

Grand Prize & Perform a Song Winner:
Forget About the Price Tag: Erin McDonald

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Calling All Young Americans: We Want to Hear from You!

Posted by Kyle Lierman on November 27, 2013 at 4:55 PM EDT

Throughout President Obama's career, he has been fighting for young people. Whether it is increasing access to higher education, or expanding health care coverage, giving young people a fair shot has been and always will be a priority.

The President also believes in reaching out to youth across the country to make sure we’re hearing what they have to say, and helping them better understand the policies and programs that impact them. That’s why, on Wednesday, December 4^th, we’re hosting over 150 leaders from across the country at the White House for a Youth Summit. The Summit will offer young people coming to the White House and across the country a chance to discuss the Affordable Care Act and others issues important to them.

Even if you can't be at the Summit in person, we still want to hear from you!

On Monday, December 2nd at 8:00 p.m. ET, join White House Senior Commnications Advisor Tara McGuinness, Kal Penn, and Young Invincibles for a Google+ Hangout. During this live video chat, we'll announce the winners of the "Healthy Young America Video Contest," preview the upcoming Youth Summit, and take questions about the Affordable Care Act and what It means for young Americans.

You can watch the Hangout live on the White House Google+ page. Have a comments or questions? Ask them using the hashtag #WHYouth on Twitter and on Google+ and we'll answer some of them during the live Hangout.

Additionally, on December 4th, you can watch the Summit live starting at 2:00 pm ET on Whitehouse.gov/live. Throughout the day White House staff, HHS officials, and other special guests will be taking questions submitted on twitter using the hashtag #WHYouthSummit.

Kyle Lierman serves Youth Liaison in the White House Office of Public Engagement.

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Seniors Save Nearly $9 Billion on Prescription Drugs Thanks to the Affordable Care Act

Posted by Megan Slack on November 26, 2013 at 4:05 PM EDT

Today, the Administration released new data showing that Affordable Care Act is helping more seniors save more money on their prescription drug costs.

Since the Affordable Care Act was enacted, more than 7.3 million seniors and people with disabilities have saved $8.9 billion on their prescription drugs, an average of $1,209 per person since 2010.

Before the Affordable Care Act, many people with Medicare Part D would pay out-of-pocket for the entire cost of prescription drugs once they hit the coverage gap in prescription drug benefits known as the “donut hole.” Beneficiaries continued paying full price for prescriptions until reaching catastrophic coverage.

But under a discount program in the Affordable Care Act, anyone with a Medicare prescription drug plan who reached the prescription drug donut hole in 2010 got a $250 rebate. Beginning in 2011, beneficiaries who landed in the donut hole began receiving discounts on covered brand-name drugs and savings on generic drugs.

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You’re Invited: White House Youth Summit Social

Posted by Kasie Coccaro on November 25, 2013 at 5:50 PM EDT

We are excited to announce our next White House Social event, an in-person meeting for people who engage with us on social media.

On Wednesday, December 4, 2013 the White House will host a Youth Summit, offering young people from around the country an opportunity to discuss the Affordable Care Act and other issues with senior White House officials. White House Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+ followers ages 18-35 are eligible to apply to attend this White House event on December 4.

Interested in joining? Sign up for your chance to join other White House social media followers at the #WHYouth social. In order to apply you must follow an official White House Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or Instagram account. After you sign up, spread the word! Let your followers know that you applied to attend the #WHYouth social

Sign-up to get email updates for Young Americans from the Office of Public Engagement.

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