Listen
A current screen grab of the website, HealthCare.gov
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell met with representatives from Enroll Gulf Coast in the East End. The organization aims to get more people in Greater Harris County enrolled in healthcare plans.
Burwell says they’re focusing on reaching out to more Latinos. “Latinos disproportionately use mobile applications as well as young people,” Burwell said. “This year, already in the first days of open enrollment, what we’re seeing is one in five folks who are coming to the site are coming through mobile.”
Burwell says Health and Human Services upgraded its mobile app. The department also conducted five weeks of testing for its website this year, compared to 10 days last year. Ten-point-three million Americans who were previously uninsured signed up for coverage in 2013.
Burwell says she expects to see continued growth. “While this is about the numbers, it’s about individuals who are getting health security and economic security too,” she said.
Enrollment for 2015 runs through February 15. Texans must sign up through the federal website as legislators opposed to the Affordable Care Act have chosen not to create a state marketplace.
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell (fourth from right) meets with representatives from Enroll Gulf Coast.