8 groups that might help roll out PPACA

However, McConnell and Cornyn took issue with that initiative in their letter, saying: “The Massachusetts law was adopted by large bi-partisan majorities in a Democratic legislature and signed by a Republican governor. ‘Obamacare’ was passed on a party-line vote, using extraordinary legislative gimmicks and widely ridiculed political favors to win passage.”

Photo: The Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park. By Winslow Townson/Associated Press

Churches

Enroll America’s Anne Filipic told Benefits Selling Magazine that churches will be part of the recruitment process.

That’s because people at the community level are especially important for spreading the word about PPACA, Filipic says.

“What we are really focused on is having a presence in communities across the country and really building a full campaign that creates kind of an echo chamber for consumers and meets them where they are, in their communities,” Filipic says. “We want to give them the information they need to make a decision that is very personal and really allows them to choose a plan that works for them and meets their family budget.”

Photo credit: Stuart Miles/www.freedigitalphotos.net

Community health centers

Just like churches, community health centers play an important role in educating members of their communities.

Community health centers expect to sign up millions of newly insured patients under PPACA. And the centers are getting big money for their enrollment efforts: In May, the administration announced $150 million in funding to community health centers to help them provide in-person enrollment assistance to the uninsured across the nation.

About 1,200 health centers operate nearly 9,000 service delivery sites nationwide and serve approximately 21 million patients each year.

“Investing in health centers for outreach and enrollment assistance provides one more way the Obama administration is helping consumers understand their options and enroll in affordable coverage,” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in May.

Photo: Brianny Abreu, 6, has her vitals checked at the William F. Ryan Community Health Center in New York, June 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Drug chains

Walgreens — America’s largest drug chain — and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association recently joined forces to launch a campaign that informs consumers about the law.

They launched a website and promised to distribute brochures about PPACA at Walgreens stores around the country.

“The Affordable Care Act will expand access to health insurance for millions of Americans and broaden health benefits, but many Americans have had little experience purchasing health coverage and are confused about what the law means to them,” BCBSA Senior Vice President Maureen Sullivan said in a statement.

Photo: By Paul Sakuma/Associated Press 

NFL

Well, the NFL could have helped. But it won’t.

The National Football League nixed a Department of Health and Human Services proposal to help promote Obamacare, with NFL spokesman Greg Aiello saying the league has no plans to help promote the PPACA during televised events or at sporting events.

Photo: President Obama holds a Baltimore Ravens football jersey with head coach John Harbaugh, second from right, during a ceremony at White House in June.(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)