Big Opportunity to Shape DC’s Health Exchange Budget

DC’s Health Benefit Exchange Authority – also known as DC Health Link – plays an important role helping DC residents find affordable and high quality health insurance.  And next Monday on November 7, the Exchange wants to give you a sneak peek at their proposed budget for the coming year, and get your input.

The Exchange’s Executive Director, Mila Kofman, will present DC Health Link’s proposed budget at the meeting, which will be held at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute’s office. It will be a great opportunity to ask questions and give feedback to the agency on its funding priorities. Among other areas, Director Kofman will present proposed funding levels for:

  • Consumer outreach and education: DC Health Link’s In-Person Assister program has been successful in enrolling residents in Medicaid or private health insurance. The program’s community enrollment events in libraries, churches and other spaces have helped thousands of residents get access to the coverage they need. So far, most consumer assistance has been funded through federal grants, but that has now expired. It will be important to hear from DC Health Link how those programs will be funded in the absence of federal grants.
  • User-Friendly Website: As DC Health Link gets further along in its development, it will be important that it makes investments in the usability and consumer friendliness of the online portal.  That means investment in IT consultants and software upgrades. The contact/call center is also an important vehicle for consumer assistance – applicants can get real time help with the online forms.

The meeting will have ample time for participants to comment and ask questions of Director Kofman and her staff. This is a great opportunity to weigh in before the budget is sent to the DC Health Exchange’s Executive Board for their approval. So mark your calendars for next Monday, and please contact Jodi Kwarciany at jkwarciany@dcfpi.org if you have questions or wish to attend.

Details: 

DC Health Link FY 2018 Budget Presentation

Monday, November 7, 3:00-4:30pm

DC Fiscal Policy Institute, 820 First Street NE

RSVP: jkwarciany@dcfpi.org