Alabama Arise’s Cover Alabama coalition debuted a new ad campaign on Friday to focus on policy solutions to help the nearly 300,000 Alabamians who have no options for affordable health coverage. The ads highlight the difficulties for working Alabamians who lack insurance and explain how ensuring they have adequate access to health care would benefit the state. “Now is the time to open up health coverage to nearly 300,000 Alabamians who make ‘too much’ money to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford a private health insurance plan,” said Debbie Smith, Arise's Cover Alabama campaign director. The ads will run on TV and digital platforms across the state throughout the fall. Click here to watch our new ad!  As Alabama’s elected officials grapple with the state’s low labor force participation rate, Cover Alabama proposes closing the health coverage gap as a critical component of the solution. Many Alabamians who want a job can’t enter the workforce ‒ or must leave it ‒ due to lack of adequate access to health care. A family of three must make less than $4,475 a year ‒ just 18% of the federal poverty level ‒ for the parents to qualify for Alabama Medicaid. However, unless that family makes at least $24,860 a year, they will not qualify for subsidies to buy a private plan on the marketplace created under the Affordable Care Act. Hundreds of thousands of Alabamians are caught in this coverage gap. “Those who will benefit by closing the coverage gap are the veteran with a disability who is working at your favorite restaurant, the mechanic who lives with a chronic disease, or the hotel desk clerk who needs vision care,” Smith said. “Providing these folks with access to adequate health care would help keep Alabama’s economy humming. And it would allow them to provide for their families and live healthier, more productive lives.” Watch the ad here and share it on social media! | 
