The entity charged with creating Hawaii’s healthcare exchange required under the Affordable Care Act is on the hunt for a PR firm.
The Hawaii Health Connector released an RFP on Sept. 5 to handle research, communication strategy and PR, inviting firms to pitch one or all three of the segments. One-year contracts are planned.
The Connector seeks a strategic communications plan and public awareness campaign to keep it in the news and tout its value and benefits to consumers and small businesses.
“In many respects the Connector is similar to a start‐up company,” reads the RFP. “The Connector’s job is to establish and manage a new health insurance exchange -- which has not previously existed in Hawaii -- and to educate the people and businesses of Hawaii about the Exchange. The Connector is executing these tasks under a compressed timeline against a regulatory and legal backdrop that continues to change and evolve. This means that the Connector needs a public relations services provider that is fast moving; that can rapidly respond to new issues; and that can provide last minute services when necessary.”
It also needs a PR firm that can interact with the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight and state entities, as well.
The Affordable Care Act tabs states to set up exchanges, online marketplaces to purchase private insurance plans which are subsidized by the federal government. States which do not act by the end of the year will have exchanges created and run by Uncle Sam. Fifteen states have moved to create the exchanges.
Proposals are due Oct. 1 with a letter of intent to pitch required by Sept. 17.
View the RFP (PDF).