Rep. Dan Frankel Says Obamacare Open Enrollment Chance to Get Covered or Find Better Plan

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, and health advocates today promoted the upcoming open enrollment period for Affordable Care Act coverage.

"Even with the shorter time period this year and a steep cutback in advertising, open enrollment is still an opportunity for many Pennsylvanians to get covered or find a better plan. I don't want anyone in western Pennsylvania to miss out," Frankel said.

Leslie Bachurski, director of consumer navigation at the Consumer Health Coalition, said, "The key things people should know about the Affordable Care Act are that the law has not changed and that open enrollment has been shortened to only six weeks. People have a lot of questions right now, and navigators are a great local resource for getting the facts straight. Our navigators are working hard to be available in the community during open enrollment and help the enrollment process run as smoothly as possible."

The Squirrel Hill Health Center hosted today's news conference. CEO Susan Friedberg Kalson said, "Squirrel Hill Health Center welcomes the opportunity to highlight the upcoming open enrollment period for ACA Marketplace insurance plans. In addition to providing comprehensive primary medical, behavioral health and dental services to all, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, we stand ready to assist in Marketplace enrollment. Our full-time staff can work with area residents, whether or not they are SHHC patients, and help guide them through the process so that they find a plan that suits their needs."

Also speaking at today's event were ACA enrollees Joe DeFazio of Greenfield and Casey Dye of Monroeville; and Ali Shapiro of Pittsburgh, who was able to invest more in and grow her nutrition and wellness business thanks to more affordable insurance available through the ACA.

Frankel also commended the Wolf administration's recently announced ACA outreach effort.

People can shop for plans on www.healthcare.gov or find a local navigator at https://localhelp.healthcare.gov.