(Washington, DC) On December 10th the Two-Spirit community will be the focus for this year’s “National LGBTQ2S Week of Action for Enrollment”, December 7th – 11th. With just over a week left to enroll for your coverage to start on January 1st, there will be a big push to let the Two-Spirit community know about the new health insurance coverage options available as a result of President Obama’s signature 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The Two-Spirit Day of Action will feature the following two community education and engagement events: three National Native organizations are coordinating a big social media outreach campaign and the Department of Health and Human Services and Indian Health Services are hosting a webinar.
The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) are asking Native and Two-Spirit community leaders and individuals to join them in a “Thunderclap” to share the following message: “The Affordable Care Act promotes health for ALL NATIVES by protecting Native American LGBTQ2S Health! #LGBTQ2S http://thndr.me/q4A8RI.”
What is a “Thunderclap”?
Thunderclap is a new online tool/website that allows people to pledge to tweet or facebook a message all on the same day and at the exact same time in order to amplify that message. Think of it as an “online flash mob,” spreading an idea or message through Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr that cannot be ignored.
For more information on this Thunderclap or to join it, click HERE.
In addition to this Thunderclap, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Indian Health Services are hosting a webinar: “Reaching and Assisting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Two-Spirit Communities” on December 10th at 2pm EST.
Here is the information to register for this webinar:
- Link to join: http://ihs.adobeconnect.com/r8x7fkdjchz/
- Room passcode: ihs123
- Call-in: 1-888-566-8389,
- Participant passcode: 6426096
According to the organization, Out2Enroll.org, a national initiative launched in September 2013 to connect our communities—LGBT people and our families, friends, and allies—with the new health insurance coverage options available under the Affordable Care Act:
Individuals may qualify for financial help. 80% of applicants for marketplace coverage qualify for financial assistance, and most can find a plan for $75 per month or less.”
Find free local help from an LGBTQ2S-friendly assister. Consumers are far more likely to enroll if they receive in-person help, and 80% of LGBTQ2s people want to meet with an assister that understands LGBTQ2S-specific issues. Consumers can find free in-person help using Out2Enroll’s assister locator tool: http://www.out2enroll.org/enrollment-help.
The penalty is higher this year, and it may be cheaper to enroll. Having health insurance is the law. If you don’t have it, you face a penalty of $695 or 2.5% of your annual income, whichever is greater. You may actually qualify for coverage that costs the same or less than the fine; plus, you’ll get access to free preventive care and peace of mind from having insurance!
For more information on “National LGBTQ2S Week of Action for Enrollment” please see Out2Enroll.