On Monday, Dr. Wen joined Representatives Elijah Cummings and Jonathan Sarbanes, Mayor-elect Catherine Pugh, Acting Executive Director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, Jonathan Kromm, and other community leaders at the College Open Enrollment Kickoff at the College Open Enrollment Kickoff.

“Young people. College Students. Every resident”—Dr. Wen called for everyone to sign-up today to get the coverage they need “to prevent small problems from becoming life-threatening illnesses.” She expressed her anxiety and concern as well as shared stories of the patients she has seen in the ER and how many of them were dying because they did not have access to affordable healthcare. Dr. Wen explained that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has helped thousands of Baltimore residents receive affordable coverage. Today, there are less than 40,000 uncovered adults without health insurance, down from over 81,000 uninsured in 2010.

Representative Cummings and Sarbanes spoke about the importance of the ACA and how we have the lowest rate of uninsured people in the country. Both Representatives acknowledged the long process of getting over 6.1 million citizens coverage; yet, they know that there is still much work to be accomplished. They advocate that the ACA should not be repealed; rather that are looking forward to improving the legislation and working to make the tweaks in the legislation to expand coverage.

Under the Maryland Health Connection, 1 in 6 Marylanders (over 1 million) have been able to access affordable coverage. As well, 9 in 10 people receive financial assistance or tax credits while enrolling. There are many opportunities for young people to get the affordable coverage they need.

Dr. Wen closed the event with three final thoughts:

1. Progress has happened at the local and national level. This work is about people and their stories—and we all must listen.
2. Open enrollment is happening now. The cost of not being insured is way higher than the investment of getting affordable coverage. No one plans to be ill, so getting coverage before problems escalate is the best way to prevent health issues.
3. There is still much work left to do—and we cannot stop!

Residents have until December 2016 to get covered. There are many in-person enrollment events happening on campuses and at other locations throughout Maryland.

Check out the enrollment events calendar and the Maryland Health Connection website for more information.