What/Who:
DC Health Link “Interfaith Sunday” will continue today and throughout the health insurance open enrollment season as faith leaders city wide urge members to enroll in affordable health coverage through the District’s new online health insurance marketplace, DC Health Link. Certified DC Health Link Assisters and Insurance brokers will be on-site before and after worship services to offer enrollment assistance.
In addition to sharing information from their pulpits about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), quality, affordable health plans offered on the new marketplace and DC Health Link, faith leaders will also emphasize the individual mandate that requires most Americans to obtain health insurance by 2014 or pay a tax penalty, known as the individual mandate. The mandate is effective January 1st, 2014. The penalty will be applied to the annual taxable income for each month a person doesn't have health insurance (Note: there is a 3 month grace period, hence the marketplaces being open until March 31st, 2014). The fee for not having insurance in 2014 is $95 per adult and $47.50 per child or 1% of the taxable income (up to $285 for a family), whichever is greater. Finanical help is available for consumers who qualify.
Residents will be encouraged to visit enrollment centers (Listed on dchealthlink.com and dchbx.com) and attend the Ward 7 Enrollment Day on next Saturday, January 25 at the 4 DC Public Library locations in the ward: Height/Benning, Capital View, Deanwood and Francis Gregory.
When/Where:
Sunday, January 19, 2014 - 8 am - 2 pm
| Place of Worship | Address | Time of Service | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilgrim AME Church (Ward 6) | 612 17th Street, NE | 10 am | All day |
| St. Columba’s Episcopal Church (Ward 3) | 4201 Albemarle Street, NW | 10:15 am | Today only |
| St. Paul AME (Ward 4) | 4901 14th Street, NW | 10:30 am | Weekday only |
| Union Temple Baptist Church (Ward 8) | 1225 W Street, SE | 8 am/11 am | All day |
| Metropolitan AME Church (Ward 2) | 1518 M Street, NW | 8 am/11 am | Weekday only |
| Brown AME Church (Ward 6) | 130 14th Street, NE | 10 am | All day |
| Good Success Christian Church & Ministries (Ward 7) | 4401 Sheriff Road, NE | 9 am/1 pm | 9 am - 1 pm |
| Ward Memorial AME (Ward 7) | 241 42nd Street, NE | 11 am | All day |
| Allen Chapel AME Church (Ward 8) | 2498 Alabama Avenue, SE | 8 am/11 am | Weekday only |
Complete listing of participating places of worship can be found dchbx.com
Background:
The new health law provides individuals, families, and small businesses in the District of Columbia with new options for quality, affordable health insurance. DC Health Link is the District’s online health insurance marketplace that allows visitors to shop, compare, and buy coverage that fits their needs and budgets.
Eligible residents have until March 31, 2014, to enroll in a health insurance plan through DCHealthLink.com. Those who enroll before February 15, 2014, will have benefits effective March 1, 2014. Small businesses can enroll through DCHealthLink.com at any point.