Photo credit: MMCHR
The Biden-Harris Administration announced a record-breaking 14.5 million people signed up for 2022 health care coverage through the Marketplaces during the historic Marketplace Open Enrollment Period (OEP) from November 1, 2021 through January 15, 2022 – including 5.8 million people who have newly gained coverage under the Administration. The American Rescue Plan lowered health care costs for most Marketplace consumers and increased enrollment to these records levels: HealthCare.gov consumers saw their average monthly premium fall by 23%, compared to the 2021 enrollment period that ended before the American Rescue Plan passed. The enrollment numbers are a testament to the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to lowering costs for working families and reaching people where they are through concerted outreach.
Illinois had 323,427 enrollments. This represents the highest level of enrollment since 2018 in which Illinois had 334,979. To view the Marketplace 2022 OEP National Snapshot; visit here.
The Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) presents a brand-new podcast called “Health Talks.” IPHCA is a nonprofit trade association that serves as an advocate for Illinois’ community health centers. We strive to position health centers as the highest standard of care and provide them with the tools they and their patients need to take charge of their futures. Our exciting new “Health Talks” podcast focuses on vital topics in healthcare including the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), health equity, quality of patient care, community engagement, and strategies to improve access to healthcare. Health Talks is hosted by Raj Savalia from IPHCA and other staff. They are regularly joined by health center staff, leaders in healthcare, policy directors, administrators, as well as public health and healthcare professionals. You can listen to new episodes twice a month starting on February 1st, 2022.
In our premiere podcast episode host Raj Savalia interviews health center staff and they discuss innovative practices to improve SDOH and reduce health care disparities. Promising practices that are discussed include utilizing patient navigators to work with vulnerable populations and assess SDOH needs, while increasing community engagement. During other episodes of the Health Talks podcast, we will continue to interview a diverse roster of guests and subject matter experts. As a listener, you’ll also hear a vast range of experiences from those who work on the frontlines of healthcare and advocates who strive to improve healthcare for vulnerable populations. The Health Talks podcast will provide listeners with unique perspectives into healthcare, public health, advocacy, and promising practices to improve patient care. You can subscribe to the “Health Talks” podcast on Apple, Spotify, iHeartradio, or you go to IPHCA.org to listen as well. We hope you join us in this thrilling new endeavor and tune in to the Health Talks Podcast!