Milwaukee Wins White House Challenge

Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law in 2010, more than 20 million people have gained access to health insurance coverage, driving the national uninsured rate below 10 percent. During the most recent open enrollment period, the White House and its partners on the ground nationwide undertook an unprecedented local and regional effort to sign up the remaining uninsured who are eligible for Marketplace coverage.  The purpose of the “Healthy Communities Challenge” was to engage 20 key communities with large numbers or high percentages of uninsured in states across the country where strong federal, state, and community collaboration can have a meaningful impact on reaching the uninsured.

In late February, the White House announced Milwaukee as the winner of that Challenge. Roughly 38,000 people in the Milwaukee area newly selected a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace during this open enrollment period. Together with returning Marketplace consumers, about 89,000 people in the Milwaukee area selected a 2016 Marketplace plan.

These access gains are due in large part to the efforts of local and state elected officials, community organizations and leaders, and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to help their neighbors find access to quality, affordable coverage. Progressive CHC is an active member of the Milwaukee Enrollment Network (MKEN).  We employ four certified application counselors who have assisted thousands of individuals in accessing insurance coverage since the ACA was implemented.  Over very own Sarah Bailey was featured on a recent National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) podcast and highlighted Milwaukee’s unique model of enrollment success.