- An all-star coalition of health leaders, patient advocates, celebrities, athletes and elected officials are calling on all Americans through social media to wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and get health insurance during open enrollment to stay healthy.
- Dec. 10 was Get Covered America Day, and nearly 140 million followers have already been touched by Get Covered 2021 coalition partners, ambassadors, and everyday Americans whose pictures, personal messages and videos about the importance of being COVID-safe and getting affordable health insurance now are going viral on social media.
- Information about COVID-19 safety and enrollment for all states is available at GetCovered2021.org. The Get Covered 2021 initiative will continue into the new year because while much of the nation ends open enrollment on Dec. 15, many state-based marketplaces, like California, are open into the month of January, and Medicaid programs are open year-round for enrollment.
WASHINGTON DC – The Get Covered 2021 coalition, a broad group of states, consumer and patient groups, health care providers, and celebrity ambassadors from across the country, today announced adding basketball superstar Stephen Curry and beloved actor and activist George Takei to the coalition. The national initiative is a call to action fueled by Americans from all walks of life, urging people to stay home, wear a mask, support health care heroes and help 16 million uninsured Americans sign up for a quality health insurance plan to fight the ongoing pandemic.
The growing coalition includes a diverse array of celebrity and athlete ambassadors, including AJ Andrews, Odell Beckham Jr., Beth Behrs, Tanner Buchanan, Caron Butler, Shilique Calhoun, Charlie Carver, Max Carver, America Ferrera, Freddy Galvis, Adrian Gonzalez, Mark Hamill, Ken Jeong, Steve Kerr, Tyler Lockett, George Lopez, Danielle Macdonald, Angel McCoughtry, Bill Pullman, CC Sabathia, Sarah Silverman, Bradley Whitford and James Wilks.
“Today, during the worst public health crisis of our generation, there are at least 16 million people in the U.S. that are uninsured, even though they could get financial help,” said Get Covered 2021 co-chair and Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “Millions have lost health insurance coverage due to the economic downturn, and there is a clear need for education and awareness. That is why we are taking to social media to directly reach as many Americans as possible. Our goal is for awareness to lead to action in the form of more people enrolling so they can be covered, safe and healthy.”
In a recent video, Golden State Warriors MVP and World Champion Stephen Curry noted the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on Black Americans: “Today, in America, too many people in our communities don’t have health insurance,” said Curry. “It’s one reason why Black Americans are disproportionately impacted by COVID and other health conditions. That’s got to change. Having health insurance means you can stay healthy and get care when you need it.”
Actor Alyssa Milano asked people to join her in getting the word out through a personal video: “Of those uninsured, it is estimated that more than half a million have COVID-19. But it’s not only about COVID,” Milano said. “There are 88,000 Americans that are uninsured and living with cancer, and 1.7 million uninsured living with diabetes. This has to stop now.”
Actor and social justice activist George Takei reminded his fans that we all need to prioritize our health during these times: “Now more than ever, make being healthy a priority. Please wear a mask to stay safe from COVID-19, and get health insurance to stay healthy,” said Takei. “Learn how you or someone you know can get financial help at GetCovered2021.org.”
The initiative is also supported by a bipartisan group of elected officials committed to raising awareness about the need for COVID-safe practices and the link between health and coverage. These groups and individuals are getting the message out that financial help is available for millions of Americans to make coverage affordable, by sharing the website GetCovered2021.org, where consumers can be linked directly to enrollment help, and using the hashtag #GetCovered2021.
In video remarks for Get Covered America Day, Governors Larry Hogan of Maryland and Andy Beshear of Kentucky urged their residents, and all Americans, to stay healthy and stay safe:
Get Covered 2021 includes America’s top health and patient advocacy organizations including the American Public Health Association, American Heart Association, American Medical Association, American Hospital Association, America’s Physician Groups, American Cancer Society, Mental Health America, National Hispanic Medical Association, the Service Employees International Union, American Federation of Teachers, National Association of Community Health Centers and many more, along with 16 states, the District of Columbia and Get Covered America.
For more information, please visit www.getcovered2021.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Mitch.Zak@GetCovered2021.org
