Planned Parenthood Boosts Community Efforts to Get Latinos Enrolled in ACA

NEW YORK — With less than a month until the sign-up deadline on March 31, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is stepping up its grassroots efforts to educate Latinos about their new health care options under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Dozens of Planned Parenthood representatives will be providing in-person assistance and distributing educational materials across 14 Latino communities in Texas, Florida, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado — states with some of the highest number of Latinos without insurance. This work is part of Planned Parenthood’s integrated ACA education and enrollment effort that will run through the end of the enrollment period on March 31.

Planned Parenthood is working with local community organizers to help ensure that uninsured Latinos get every opportunity to sign up for insurance — many for the first time in their lives. Trained bilingual outreach specialists are walking door-to-door offering to help residents begin and file applications — in English and Spanish — using tablet computers and educational literature. Additionally, organizers are working to follow up with community members who need additional assistance and connecting them other local ACA resources, including certified navigators.

“By working closely with Latinos in their communities — face-to-face and door- to-door — to educate them about their options under the ACA, we are helping families to gain access to the information they need to get preventive services like birth control without a copay and lifesaving health screenings,” said PPFA President Cecile Richards.

By meeting people where they are with information and technology, many Latinos with limited or no access to the Internet or a computer will have an opportunity to apply with expert assistance in their communities. Recently, Broward County canvasser Ryanbo Morales helped a woman and her family in Florida apply for health coverage after unsuccessful attempts:

“We spoke to a woman who had kept putting off completing the application process because she did not have much experience using a computer. But when our bilingual canvasser showed up with a tablet, she was delighted, made us food and successfully completed applications for herself, husband and daughter.”

“As a Latino who did not have insurance growing up, I understand how difficult it can be to get the proper assistance. That’s why I am committed to Planned Parenthood’s mission to enroll Latinos.” 

Last month, Planned Parenthood launched digital ads in English and Spanish in key states to help reach uninsured Americans. Additionally, Planned Parenthood and coalition partners announced they are hosting a series of community education and enrollment events in 15 cities with large Latino populations running through March 31.  Events with certified navigators in Texas, Arizona, Illinois, Georgia and Pennsylvania have attracted thousands of Latino families, many of whom chose a plan and successfully enrolled on site. You can view a list of events and coalition partners for the Latino Enrollment events here.

Planned Parenthood’s online resources can also help individuals understand more about the law and how to enroll. PlannedParenthoodHealthInsuranceFacts.org and PlannedParenthoodAsegurate.org include a cost calculator that estimates what kind of financial help is available as well as important things people should know when comparing insurance plans. Individuals can also receive information and updates in Spanish by texting SALUD to 97779.

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 700 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.