Five Ways Advocates Can Promote Health Care Access for Survivors and Families During Open Enrollment
Nov 12, 2025
Amid finger pointing over rising health care costs, there is one indisputable truth: Access to quality health coverage is critical for our health. And care that is compassionate, affordable, and easy to access can help survivors of domestic violence heal and promote prevention.
At Futures Without Violence, we know that advocates can play a critical role in connecting people to care. That is certainly true at this time of year, when a critical window opens for many people to get or update their health coverage: Open Enrollment. We can support survivor health, especially during Open Enrollment. Here are a few places to start:
1. Share information with survivors, health care providers, and the community about the connection between intimate partner violence and health.
Partner violence can cause lasting harm to the health and wellbeing of survivors, families, and communities. In addition to immediate physical harms, survivors and children raised in households where violence occurs are more likely to experience physical and mental health challenges later in life, including frequent headaches, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), heart disease, hypertension, and asthma.
But health providers and advocates can make a difference in preventing violence, supporting survivor health, and helping families heal and thrive.
2. Start a conversation about health care with survivors and families
Everyone—especially survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault—needs health insurance. A recent survey of survivors found that lack of health insurance is a key barrier to getting health care.
Health insurance protects against high, unexpected health care costs and makes it easier to see a doctor or a nurse when you need to. A single illness or injury can bring extremely high medical bills for those without good insurance. And when the out-of-pocket costs of seeing a health care provider or getting preventive services are high, people delay or forgo care—often leading to more intensive (and expensive) needs. For survivors of domestic violence this can even mean staying in a dangerous situation just to be able to stay on an abusive partner’s health insurance.
3. Share information about Open Enrollment.
Open Enrollment started November 1. It is the time every year when people can purchase health insurance or change coverage purchased through the Marketplace, which is for people who don’t receive or can’t afford insurance through their employers, don’t have coverage through a parent’s plan, and don’t qualify for Medicare or Medicaid.
Financial help is available to help pay for coverage purchased through the marketplace, Healthcare.gov. After Open Enrollment ends, in most states next January 15, the window to purchase coverage closes.
Almost everyone can buy insurance through Healthcare.gov. Undocumented immigrants may not purchase coverage for themselves, but may purchase it on behalf of documented individuals (e.g., an undocumented spouse may purchase coverage for their citizen spouse or children). Some lawfully present immigrants may buy insurance through
Healthcare.gov and receive financial assistance.
People can sign up for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) through HealthCare.gov year-round. (Medicaid and CHIP might be called something else in your state—look up your state’s program to learn .)
And even after Open Enrollment ends, some survivors of domestic violence may still be able to enroll in health insurance through a Special Enrollment Period for those who faced domestic violence. More information is on our factsheet.
4. Support survivors who are navigating complicated health care systems.
Applying for health insurance can be confusing, difficult, and overwhelming. In a recent survey of survivors, many said they want help navigating health insurance.
Advocates can provide that help by building a relationship with local “assisters” (sometimes called “navigators”) –people who are trained to help people sign up for health care in each state. Their services are free and they can help survivors navigate some of the special rules that might apply to some people facing domestic violence. Healthcare.gov has an online tool to find assisters in your area.
5. Connect with health care providers and your community health center.
. Through activities like cross-trainings and warm referrals, providers and advocates can partner to provide survivors and their families with access to comprehensive, coordinated care.
Community health centers are clinics that deliver comprehensive, high-quality health care services. They typically offer an array of services, including primary care, on a sliding scale, low-cost, or at no-cost. They can be a great partner for domestic violence advocates year-round and might also be able to help patients navigate Healthcare.gov and sign up for coverage.
Find your local community health center here and learn more about building a partnership at ipvhealth.org.
Health care is so important to helping address and prevent domestic violence, and advocates for survivors are essential to connecting people to the care that can help transform their lives.
