The DC Health Benefit Exchange Executive Board has approved partnerships with two leading advocates for businesses in the District. Beginning July 1, the DC Chamber of Commerce (DCCC) and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) will begin informing small business owners about the affordable, high-quality health insurance options available to them and their employees under the new health law through DC Health Link, the District’s new on-line health insurance marketplace.

These agreements are part of a broad community outreach effort that aims to help small business owners and their employees better understand how they will be able to shop, compare, and choose health coverage that best meets their needs and budgets.

“We look forward to our partnership with these two exceptional organizations to make sure small business owners throughout the District can exercise their new rights under the health care law,” said Mohammad Akhter, M.D., chairman of the HBX Board. “They are highly respected sources of information and assistance and will help us educate businesses about DC Health Link.”

The DC Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will:

• Hold in-person education sessions and forums;
• Provide speakers and information about DC Health Link to their membership and the small business community at large:
• Work with large employers to assist in getting their part-time and seasonal workers covered;
• Host online webinars and develop print marketing materials to raise awareness of these new insurance options; and
• Share logos and other promotional partnership links on DC Health Link, DCCC and GWHCC websites, and other materials.

“Health reform brings new opportunities for business owners throughout the District to gain access to high-quality, affordable health coverage.  It is incumbent upon organizations like the DC Chamber to educate them about these benefits and how they can take advantage of them.  DC Health Link is a vital new tool that will make that possible,” said Barbara B. Lang, president and CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce.

“We are very excited to partner with the DC Health Benefit Exchange,” said Angela Franco, president and CEO of the GWHCC. “We look forward to reaching out and educating Hispanic-owned small businesses and the community of the ways in which they can gain access to quality, affordable health options on DC Health Link.”

“These two partnerships are critical for us.  The DC Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce know the small business community and are trusted resources for employers. Their strong support for our efforts and these new partnerships will help us to successfully create a competitive marketplace that delivers on the promise of affordable high quality health insurance options for small businesses. We will proudly display the partnerships on DC Health Link. I look forward to working with both Barbara and Angela to ensure that DC Health Link is a model for the nation,” said Mila Kofman, J.D., executive director of the DC Health Benefit Exchange

At its June 17 meeting, the HBX Board also approved the appointment of two new members to its Plan Management Advisory Committee.  The Board approved the recommendations of its Standing Advisory Board to add Margaret Flickinger, managing principal and CEO of Keller Benefit Services, and Michael Hickey, government relations counsel for MetLife.

For more information on these matters, visit dchbx.com.