Farewell 2021 - hello 2022

2021 has been exhausting. We have all had so much to handle, had to pivot, adapt, and adjust every single day.  As the year comes to a close, there are some significant achievements to keep in mind and goals to set for 2022:

• More people than ever have been able to enroll in health insurance via the ACA exchanges with record numbers during Open Enrollment reaching 13.6 million.
• Open Enrollment of the federal exchange was extended to January 15th - those who enroll after December 15th will have plans beginning on February 1st.
• People who lost insurance during the pandemic due to job loss were able to enroll through a special enrollment period this year that ran through August.
• The American Rescue Plan Act increased premium subsidies (advanced premium tax credits) and made them available to more people than ever.
• Those who received unemployment insurance in 2021 were eligible for no-cost health insurance via the ACA exchanges.
• Telehealth proved to be a beneficial benefit for those who could use it during the pandemic. There is movement to make coverage of telehealth permanent.
• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the rules for the No Surprises Act to stop surprise medical bills that have been plaguing Americans for too long. These rules are effective as of January 1st.
• CMS reinstated antidiscrimination policies for medical care for LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and people who need translation services when seeking medical care.
• CMS has set rules to standardize plans offered on the ACA exchanges which could make choosing a plan significantly easier.
• Investigations at the federal level have begun into the over-consolidation of health care systems and the impact of access in areas with little to no competition in health care providers.
• New access to maternal health care for veterans - part of a larger "Momnibus" bill with a focus on ending the increasing disparity in maternal death among communities of color. Much of the Momnibus bill is included in the Build Back Better bill.
• In Illinois, health care benefits for those 50 and up without documentation was passed.
  

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But we are far from done. There are many areas that we will need to work on together to push for more health care reform.

• The passage of the Build Back Better Bill (BBB) would benefit millions of Americans who cannot access affordable health care, especially those in states that have refused to expand Medicaid.
• BBB would also reduce Rx drug costs, including a cap of $35 copay for insulin. BBB also includes a cap for Rx out of pocket costs for those on Medicare.
• BBB would also extend the expanded premium subsidies for those enrolled in ACA exchanges, and keep the fix of the so-called 'subsidy cliff' in place.
• The Supreme Court will rule on a case aimed at overturning the protections of Roe v Wade, likely in late spring. Congress has passed the Women's Health Protection Act that would codify a right to abortion in federal law. It is currently in the Senate.
• There is legislation to increase the cost of living and modernize the benefits for those living on Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) that has not been adjusted in over 30 years.
• In Illinois, we continue to push for the state to have active rate review of insurance premiums, beyond the current system that allows insurers to file their rates with no push back. We are also looking to fix online provider directories to bring them in compliance with regulation.
• Voting rights is critical to health care reform. Without true voting rights reform that ensures every vote is counted and that maps are drawn fairly, we will continue to see comprehensive health care reform as an unfulfilled wishlist. In fact, without voting rights we will continue to spend our energies on simply defending what has already been achieved instead of moving forward. Click here for more on the importance of voting rights on health care reform.

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Thank you.

These achievements were possible due to you speaking out and being involved. Making calls, attending town halls, signing petitions, writing letters, talking to friends and family, and staying informed are critical for us to eventually realize a comprehensive, universal, affordable, accessible, high-quality, and truly equitable health care system for all.

2021 also saw significant advances for us here at ACA Consumer Advocacy. Our 501c3 was approved. We joined with new coalitions working to effect change in our health care system by bringing consumer voices to the table, held online discussions on getting vaccinated and getting enrolled for 2022, and we began a new project looking at the importance of lifting up numerous social justice issues to achieve comprehensive health care.

We have big plans going forward and are glad to have you along on the journey. If you can, any support is greatly appreciated to help us reach our goals.

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​There is still time to #GetCovered
for 2022.

In most states, enrollment by January 15th will get you an affordable plan that begins on February 1st.

With new laws, new subsidies are available to more people.

​Go to www.healthcare.gov and check your options today.

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The truth is we can't do our work without you. Thank you.

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