Latinas celebrate the start of open enrollment

The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH) celebrates the beginning of open enrollment as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Starting today, many Latinas will be eligible to enroll in quality, affordable health care plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Jessica González-Rojas, executive director of NLIRH, said, “We are celebrating today alongside the millions of Latinas and their family members who will now be able to access quality, affordable health care. We celebrate this historic milestone in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. With the start of open enrollment, more Latinas and their families will have access to the health care they need to keep themselves and their families healthy without having to go into debt.”

The ACA has positively impacted the health of Latinas. More than 913,000 young Latino/a adults have received coverage through their parents’ health plans. Latinas can now receive preventive health services at no cost, including birth control, cervical exams, and screenings for intimate partner violence and counseling. Additionally, Latinas will no longer be denied coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions and will no longer face expensive insurance premiums just because of their sex.

“Unfortunately, barriers remain for some aspiring citizens to access the health care they need under the ACA. These individuals and their families contribute to our economies and our communities. We will continue to work with the Administration and community partners to ensure that all aspiring citizens, including the undocumented, have meaningful access to basic culturally-competent, quality, health care,” commented González-Rojas.

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The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health is the only national organization working on behalf of the reproductive health and justice of the 24 million Latinas, their families and communities in the United States through public education, community mobilization and policy advocacy.