WHITE HOUSE VIDEO MESSAGE: The Affordable Care Act: Quality Coverage For All

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

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EMBARGOED UNTIL 6:00 AM ET, SATURDAY, October 26, 2013

WHITE HOUSE VIDEO MESSAGE: The Affordable Care Act: Quality Coverage For All

In this week’s message, Associate Director of the Office of Minority Health at the Department of Health and Human Services Mayra Alvarez discussed the ways in which Latinos can enroll in coverage through the new Health Insurance Marketplace. Spanish speakers can call 1-800-318-2596 for assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or visit AyudaLocal.CuidadoDeSalud.gov to apply in-person with the help of a specially trained local navigator. Under the Affordable Care Act, access to quality affordable coverage is no longer for the fortunate few but for all to enjoy.

The audio of the address and video of the message is available online HERE.

Spanish Language Video Message

The White House

October 26, 2013

Hi, everybody.  A few weeks ago, we launched an important part of the Affordable Care Act. 

It’s a new marketplace where Americans without health insurance – or who buy insurance on their own because they can’t get it at work – can apply for, browse, and buy affordable plans. 

One way to buy insurance in this marketplace is a new website, HealthCare.gov and soon, Spanish speakers will be able to apply online through CuidadoDeSalud.gov.  And as you may have heard, the sites aren’t working the way it’s supposed to yet. 

It’s frustrating, especially for the Americans who’ve been trying to get covered, many for the very first time.  And that’s why we are going to get it fixed.  We’ve got people working around the clock to boost capacity and solve these problems. 

The website it’s not the only way to buy insurance through the marketplaces.  Even as we increase our efforts to get the website working as well as it’s supposed to, we’re are also making sure you can apply for health coverage right now – by phone, by mail, or in person.  We’re only a few weeks into a six-month open enrollment period when you can buy these new insurance plans.  They will not sell out.  The prices will not change.  Everyone who wants insurance through the marketplace will get it.

You can call 1-800-318-2596 for assistance in Spanish 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or visit the Find your Local Help feature at CuidadoDeSalud.gov to apply in-person with the help of a specially trained local navigator who can walk you through each step of signing up for coverage.

And everyone who already has health insurance will keep the benefits and protections this law has put in place.  Young people can stay on their parents’ plans.  Seniors have new discounts on their prescriptions.  Preventive care like mammograms and birth control are free.  That’s all part of this law, and it is here to stay.

This week, we celebrated a National Hispanic Week of Action to raise awareness about the benefits of the Affordable Care Act to Latinos including the 10.2 million uninsured Latinos. Across the country, community organizations, local, state and federal government partners will convened events to highlight the importance of the healthcare law to the Latino community.

The Affordable Care Act gives people who’ve been stuck with sky-high premiums because of a preexisting condition the chance to get affordable insurance for the first time.  And ultimately that’s what this is about, providing access to quality affordable coverage, not just for the fortunate few but for all to enjoy. 

Thank you, and have a great weekend.

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