(BOSTON, MA) – Statement of Dara Taylor, Community Catalyst’s Director of Consumer Assistance, regarding the introduction of the Marketing and Outreach Restoration to Empower (MORE) Health Education Act (H.R. 987) sponsored by Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (Del.), Rep. Kathy Castor (Fla.), Rep. Dan Kildee (Mich.) and Rep. Lucy McBath (Ga.). The bill would reverse harmful funding cuts to Affordable Care Act (ACA) outreach, education, and marketing by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and require adequate funding to support future efforts to enroll people in ACA coverage.

“As an organization committed to educating consumers about their health insurance options under the ACA, we commend the introduction of the Marketing and Outreach Restoration to Empower (MORE) Health Education Act (H.R. 987) and thank the bill’s sponsors.

“This legislation would restore critical funding for targeted outreach to promote enrollment in health coverage to the uninsured, underinsured and other disadvantaged communities. Under the Trump administration, the CMS severely reduced funding set aside to educate and empower consumers by 90 percent over the course of two years – resulting in a drop in enrollment for the first time since passage of the ACA. This deliberate effort to thwart people’s ability to access affordable care for themselves and their families led to an increase in the number of uninsured Americans in both 2017 and 2018.

“Our experience within the enrollment community has taught us that reaching the uninsured and underinsured requires investment, time and energy. Without this type of investment, enrollment efforts may miss vulnerable communities who remain uninsured – especially those who live in rural areas. We call on Congress, and leaders in both parties and both chambers, to pass this bill. It would be a positive step toward reinvesting in the health and welfare of our nation, ensuring that people throughout our country can get the care they need when they need it.”

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About Community Catalyst
Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. Headquartered in Boston, Community Catalyst has offices in Washington, DC, Atlanta, New York, Pittsburgh and St. Louis. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @HealthPolicyHub.