In the last five weeks, more than 1.3 million Texans filed for unemployment, and job losses are expected to grow. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that, nationally, 46% of people who lost their job in the last month also lost their job-based health insurance.

CPPP has a new resource to help Texans understand their health insurance coverage options, whether or not you just lost a job.

What to know if you lose your health insurance

• Families with low incomes can sign up their children under age 19 in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) at any time.
• Texans who lost their job and their job-based insurance qualify for a special enrollment period in the Health Insurance Marketplace (www.HealthCare.gov). But act fast! You have to enroll within 60 days of losing your job-based coverage. Nine-in-ten Texans with Marketplace coverage get subsidies to help lower their premiums
• You may qualify for a special enrollment period at HealthCare.gov for other reasons, like marriage, having a baby, or if receiving the new $600/week bump in unemployment insurance payments raises your annual income above the poverty line.

Read more and get information on income cut-offs for programs, how to find no-cost help enrolling, and more.

Where Texas stands on important COVID-19 testing and access policies

Also, CPPP has updated our checklist of important steps Texas has taken in response to COVID-19 that will provide solutions for the state's 5 million uninsured people. See how Texas can improve access to Medicaid for low-income children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities, and CHIP. Eliminating barriers to health care is critical during this crisis so that every Texan can get testing and treatment if they become sick.

We are grateful for the progress our state has made so far, but there are still essential steps that Texas leaders must take to remove barriers to coverage, testing, and treatment. Read the full update here.

For more details, check out CPPP’s full guide on keeping your insurance during the Coronavirus crisis and the latest on where health care in Texas currently stands.