The American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief law that provided stimulus checks to most Americans, included several healthcare changes that will reduce costs for many Americans. The Biden administration is now preparing to spend $50 million in advertising to promote those healthcare changes, CNBC reported.
Specifically, the plan lowers premiums through subsidies for those who purchase healthcare coverage on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Another report found that early retirees stood the most to gain from the savings in the plan, bringing healthcare premiums down to zero for some. The new subsidies are scheduled to last for two years and could prove incentivizing for the nearly 15 million uninsured in the U.S.
The ad promotions will help ensure more Americans know about the higher affordability as the ACA marketplace remains open through a special enrollment period that runs from February 15 through May 15. Already, video ads for Healthcare.gov featuring the lower costs are running. The advertisements will include TV, digital, email, radio and streaming platforms, targeting uninsured populations, those who lost insurance and Spanish-speaking groups and others who struggle with access to healthcare coverage, according to CNBC.
"People deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing you can take care of your health without going into debt," HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. "The Department of Health and Human Services is doubling down on our efforts to ensure consumers, especially those hurting most, are aware that health care coverage is more affordable than ever on HealthCare.gov.”
Already, the special enrollment period has proven popular, with hundreds of thousands of people signing up for healthcare coverage during the first two weeks. The marketplace was reopened by the Biden administration to help more people find coverage during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."