Marketplace Open Enrollment Comes to Gary

City-of-GaryWith only three days left until the Health Insurance Marketplace is open for business, local organizations and officials are teaming up to make sure Hoosiers know about enrollment opportunities in their communities.

“Over 10 million more people have health insurance today than did a year ago,” said US Dept. of Health and Human Services Region V Director Kathleen Falk. “What a tremendous difference this makes in their lives. But we know there are many more still without—and we are seeing that almost 90 percent of those without insurance do not know that on Nov. 15 they have the opportunity to obtain quality, affordable health care.”

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson stressed the importance of getting covered.

“When we think of the pursuit of happiness for all citizens, that to me includes access to health care,” said Freeman-Wilson. “It is our right, and I appreciate how the federal government is assisting us in getting the open enrollment information to Gary residents.”

Falk and Freeman-Wilson were joined by Dr. Roland Walker, Gary Health Commissioner and Jim Baxter, Regional Supervisor of ASPIN Health Navigator. They each stressed the importance of residents getting informed and enrolled.

The City of Gary will host a series of events that will allow residents to enroll including the return of Friday enrollment days at Gary City Hall in partnership with Community HealthNet. More information on the dates will be shared on the City’s website at www.gary.in.us.

Additionally, Hoosiers have nine providers to choose from this year, an increase from four providers last year.

For more information on the Health Insurance Marketplace, please visit healthcare.gov. or contact the Gary Health Department at (219) 882-5565.

For more USDHHS Region V updates, be sure to follow @HHSRegion5 on Twitter and use the hashtag #GetCovered.