The Administration announced a 72% cut to the outreach and enrollment budget for the upcoming Open Enrollment period. This cut does not directly affect Washington State and other state-based Exchanges that are required to be self-sustaining, the reduced national publicity means our Exchange should increase its own communications for this fall’s open enrollment season. Consumer assistance is especially needed this year since the open enrollment period has been shortened: in Washington, the deadline is 1/15/18, two weeks earlier than last year. See this publication from NoHLA for more information about Open Enrollment and exceptions. NoHLA and other advocates seek a commitment from the Exchange to engage in robust outreach to ensure that people remain enrolled.