(Washington, D.C., Wednesday, May 12, 2021) – The American Rescue Plan (ARP) not only provides resources to beat the pandemic, but it also expands access to health insurance coverage, and lowers cost ensuring nearly everyone who buys their own individual or family insurance through a Marketplace can receive a tax credit to reduce their premiums. As we continue to battle COVID-19, it is more important than ever that Americans have access to affordable health care. The Health Insurance Marketplace® at HealthCare.gov has a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) available now to all Marketplace-eligible consumers who apply. And, as a result of ARP, millions of customers now have access to newly expanded financial assistance on HealthCare.gov. As of April 1, consumers are able to take advantage of increased premium tax credits on high quality health care plans when they enroll in coverage through HealthCare.gov. The new law will lower premiums for most people who currently have a Marketplace health plan and expand access to financial assistance for more consumers.

Dr. LaShawn McIver (Mc-EEv-er), CMS Director of the Office of Minority Health talks about the benefits of the Health Insurance Marketplace and how eligible Americans can gain access to affordable health care.

SOUNDBITE: DUE TO THE COVID RELIEF LAW, MILLIONS MORE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS INCREASED FINANCIAL HELP FOR HIGH QUALITY HEALTH CARE PLANS DURING THE SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD. THOSE WHO ARE UNINSURED, AND PEOPLE WHO CURRENTLY HAVE COVERAGE FROM HEALTHCARE.GOV, CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE LOWER PREMIUMS NOW. ON AVERAGE, MANY PREMIUMS WILL DECREASE BY $50 PER PERSON PER MONTH WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. IN FACT, 4 OUT OF 5 CUSTOMERS CAN FIND A PLAN FOR LESS THAN $10 A MONTH. CONSUMERS WHO TAKE ACTION BY THE END OF THIS MONTH CAN SEE LOWER COSTS STARTING WITH THEIR PREMIUMS ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEXT MONTH.

For more information, visit www.healthcare.gov.