Americans struggling to understand the exchanges and other components of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act can now get some help from the government.
The Obama administration on Monday launched its a public-outreach campaign to help consumers understand PPACA benefits with a new, consumer-focused HealthCare.gov website and a 24-hours-a-day consumer call center.
The new push from the administration comes in preparation for Oct. 1, the date when enrollment begins in the new state- and federally run exchanges.
Poll after poll has found that the majority of Americans remain largely unaware or confused about the law and the exchanges, despite the looming deadline.
A new report out last week from the Government Accountability Office pointed to challenges in opening the federal exchanges on time, underscoring the challenges the administration has in the coming months.
But on Monday, the Department of Health and Human Services insisted that the exchanges are “on target” for open enrollment and “other key milestones approaching in the months ahead.”
Even so, the government is stepping up its education efforts with a consumer-focused approach.
“The new website and toll-free number have a simple mission: to make sure every American who needs health coverage has the information they need to make choices that are right for themselves and their families — or their businesses,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement.