Educating women about rights and benefits of the affordable care act

Issues: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides women with preventative care services and decreases health care costs. Women are generally the primary health decision makers for their families. In 2009, one in five women in Florida reported not visiting a doctor due to high costs. The Region IV Office of Women's Health (HHS) awarded contracts to increase women's awareness and knowledge of the Act. Description: With the contract, a graduate chapter of a national black sorority implemented media efforts and an educational activity at a festival in Tallahassee, FL. Sorority members broadcasted key messages on local television and radio shows. Festival attendees were given the option to sign-in to receive information or take the pre- and post-surveys. Individuals who signed in received ACA fact sheets with option to view Healthcare.gov. Those who took the surveys were given the pre-survey first, provided ACA education, then took the post-survey. Three knowledge areas posed on surveys were (1) expanded women's health preventative services; (2) pregnancy as a pre-existing condition; and (3) insurance coverage for young adults. Results: The activity impacted 177 individuals (56 Blacks) and 61,039 through media outreach. Surveys concluded: 83.3% reported they have health insurance; 40.7% weren't aware of the Act; and 82.4% had never accessed the website. Knowledge was gained in all three of the learning areas. Recommendations: The ACA will end several discriminatory insurance policies in 2014. Therefore, there should be an increase in media messages to women to ensure they benefit from next year's new benefits.