Major enrollment push planned for Obama healthcare law

Supporters of President Obama’s healthcare law are gearing up for a major push to make sure people take advantage of its provisions.

Enroll America, a newly-formed advocacy group, announced a campaign Tuesday to ensure that eligible people sign up for the new insurance options the healthcare law will provide once it’s fully in place next year.

{mosads}The organization said it has formed partnerships with several groups of healthcare providers, including insurance companies and hospitals, while also reaching out to community groups and civic organizations.

Anne Filipic, a veteran of the Obama administration and the 2008 campaign, will lead the effort. She worked for Obama’s 2008 campaign in Iowa and Colorado, and most recently served as deputy director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.

“Millions of uninsured Americans stand to benefit from the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. But they won’t get enrolled unless they know about it,” Filipic said in a statement. “I look forward to creating an innovative and effective campaign employing cutting-edge engagement strategies to ensure its success.”

Enroll America is an outgrowth of Affordable Care Act supporters — namely, the advocacy group Families USA — that will try to raise awareness of the law’s coverage options. The group aims to ensure that as many people as possible enroll in the expanded Medicaid program or buy private insurance through newly created exchanges.

The number of people covered by the healthcare law will be central to evaluating its success or failure. States are also undertaking marketing and public-relations efforts to build awareness of their exchanges, which can begin enrolling customers later this year.