Statement of Robert Restuccia, Executive Director of Community Catalyst, on today’s announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services will grant a special enrollment period for consumers who try to enroll through healthcare.gov or the Call Center prior to March 31 but are unable to complete enrollment. 

(BOSTON)— “As a consumer group that works closely with enrollment specialists throughout the country, we are grateful to the Obama Administration for responding to our concerns and the concerns of our state partners about individuals who, through no fault of their own, have been unable to complete the enrollment in the federal marketplace.

“Today’s announcement underscores the administration’s commitment to ensure people who have been unable to obtain health coverage because it was unaffordable or because of a pre-existing condition can receive the full benefits of the ACA. It allows those who have made a good faith effort to obtain coverage to finish the process. This is good for consumers and good for the country.” 

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 About Community Catalyst

Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org.