Jackson Free Press

Cover Mississippi is a new coalition undertaking the challenges of educating and enrolling Mississippians in the new health insurance market place.

Starting Oct. 1, thousands of Mississippians will have the opportunity to receive millions in tax credits to assist in the purchase of health plans offered in the Health Insurance Marketplace mandated by the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

The Mississippi Health Advocacy Program, a member of the coalition, found that many Mississippians are not even aware that this option will be available to them. In a survey, MHAP discovered that only 52% of Mississippians are aware that Mississippi will have a Health Insurance Marketplace and only 24% of Mississippians are aware that open enrollment in the Marketplace begins in October. Its brief, http://mhap.org/images/road_to_reform/uploads/mhap-brief_7.30.13.pdf">Educate, Engage, Enroll: Preparing for Enrollment in New Health Insurance Options (PDF), details the potential challenges that exist in enrolling Mississippians in new health insurance plans.

"Our brief highlights the challenges that advocates face in ensuring that Mississippians will access the health insurance coverage provided to them as a result of the Affordable Care Act," said Roy Mitchell, executive director of the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program in a release. "Despite the challenges, there is an historic opportunity for the advocacy community and providers to come together and connect Mississippians with what could be life changing health insurance.

"The findings of this report highlight the enormity of the work to be done and necessity of a diverse coalition to carry it out."

Cover Mississippi's organizing members include AARP Mississippi, American Association of University Women, American Cancer Society, Children's Defense Fund Southern Regional Office, Health Help Mississippi, Humana, Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center, Mississippi Center for Justice, Mississippi Economic Policy Center, Mississippi Health Advocacy Program, Mississippi Human Services Coalition, Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance, Mississippi Primary Health Care Association, Mississippi State Conference NAACP, Oak Hill Baptist Church, and Planned Parenthood Southeast.

Cover Mississippi also brings together diverse organizations and members ranging from health care providers, community based organizations, religious organizations, businesses and national groups, the release states.

"Coalition members will work together to provide Mississippians with accurate and easily accessible resources needed to help them make informed choices about their health coverage," said Robert M. Pugh, executive director of the Mississippi Primary Health Care Association in the release.

For information about the Mississippi Health Advocacy Group and view the brief, visit http://www.mhap.org">www.mhap.org. To learn more about Cover Mississippi, call 601-353-0845.