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Young adults historically faced unique challenges in obtaining health insurance coverage. In 2009, nearly one-third of young adults ages 19-25 lacked health insurance, more than twice the rate for Americans overall.

The summer after he graduated from college, Kalwis Lo learned he had stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer that attacks the lymphatic system. His private health insurance plan denied him coverage for treatment, claiming the cancer diagnosis was a “pre-existing condition.”

When Astrid Muhammad heard her phone ring this past Friday, the last thing she expected was a call from the White House inviting her to attend this year’s State of the Union as a guest of the first lady.

As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we can also commemorate a significant milestone on our journey toward health equity.

Ever feel like the holiday season goes by in one hectic blur, leaving you exhausted and in need of some R&R? This year, in between the school recital, the office party and the trip to visit family, slow down and take a few minutes to give yourself something special – the gift of health care – and get covered.

To reach more Americans across the country with important information for how to get health care coverage for 2015, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced new public and private partnerships during the early weeks of Open Enrollment. Last week, the department launched the first-of-its-kind partnership between HHS and the electronic cash transactions company PayNearMe to reach financially underserved and other cash-preferring consumers.

Coming down with the flu is more than an inconvenience. It can result in lost work days and wages, unnecessary medical bills and, at its most extreme, life threatening complications. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pockets of the U.S. are already seeing an uptick in influenza activity.

If you live with HIV or AIDS or you know someone who does, you know how important it is to stay healthy. As we work together toward a healthy, AIDS-free generation, World AIDS Day is a great time to highlight some recent changes to health insurance and new opportunities for persons living with HIV/AIDS to get covered, get care, and stay healthy.

Earnest, 59, and Sharon, 57, have been married 22 years. This is their story about what getting coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace meant to them.

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, recognized each November in the United States, this month’s Ask the Expert interviews the Honorable Anita Fineday. A member of the Minnesota-based White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Judge Fineday has devoted her career to improving the way of life for Native Americans, particularly Native young people. From 1997 to 2011, she served as the Chief Judge for her tribe. Since then, she has been the Managing Director of the Indian Child Welfare Program at Casey Family Programs in Seattle, the nation’s largest operating foundation focused on safely reducing the need for foster care and building Communities of Hope for children and families across America.

With just two days to go until the start of Open Enrollment, I want to share with you what we've been doing at the Department of Health and Human Services to expand access to quality, affordable coverage to more people and to lay the groundwork for a successful Open Enrollment.

When President Obama founded the White House Council on Women and Girls (CWG) within the first two months of taking office, he charged us with working to address inequalities and barriers facing women and girls in our schools, workplaces, and throughout American life. And as women’s role in society and our economy continues to evolve and grow, so too has the importance of ensuring that all women and girls succeed, including women and girls of color who often face compounded disparities.

The re-development experience of South Memphis, TN, exemplifies truly transformative change that tackles the needs of a community faced with multiple disadvantages by leveraging cross-sector partnerships and social capital. It all began in South Memphis, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designated Enterprise Community where 97 percent of residents are African American and the poverty rate is 35 percent. South Memphis residents lack access to healthy, affordable fresh fruit and vegetables while experiencing a prevalence of food deserts and disproportionately high

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and an important time to draw attention to the alarming prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) among women and girls. This is particularly true for women living with HIV, over half of whom have experienced IPV in their lifetime.

Violence is one of the most urgent public health problems we face in America. Its tragic consequences run deep and have an especially profound impact on minority youth and young minority men.