The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is continuing to promote Weeks of Action! Each week will focus on engaging a targeted population to encourage action to come to HealthCare.gov during the Special Enrollment Period and enroll in coverage or potentially take advantage of more cost savings.
June Health Observances
June is Pride Month, a time for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons and recognize their unique health needs.
The week of June 6-12, CMS is recognizing the effort by focusing on our LGBTQ+ Week of Action. LGBTQ+ persons are comprised of a multitude of groups that have their own unique health needs. Transgender individuals, for example, are less likely to have health insurance than lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals.
Health disparities in this community are compounded by social determinants of health that are largely rooted in oppressive and discriminatory practices. Members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families and caregivers who are seeking health insurance can go to HealthCare.gov right now to take advantage of improved financial assistance and lower premiums of a Special Enrollment Period. We encourage you to help spread the word with your partners and members about helping members of the LGBTQ+ community enroll in health insurance through Healthcare.gov. Weeks of Action focused on other populations will continue to August 15, 2021 when the SEP ends.
Resources and Events
We have several resources for promotion this week on our partner toolkit including social media, fact sheets, graphics, etc.
Check out our new Week of Action Communications Toolkit which includes talking points, messaging, and a drop in article that can be customized for your organization.
CMS Office of Minority Health’s From Coverage to Care Consumer Resources and Prevention Resources help patients learn to make the most of their health coverage.
An event is scheduled for this week with our federal partners:
- Wednesday, June 9: 1-2pm ET. CMS Virtual LGBTQ+ Partner Roundtable Conversation with CMS Office of Minority Health Director Dr. LaShawn McIver (Register Here)
For more information, contact the CMS Office of Communications Partner Relations Group at Partnerships@cms.hhs.gov or view our website for further resources.