Expanding Health Insurance Access for Immigrant and BIPOC Communities in King County

On January 15, 2026, Ensemble Washington concluded its multicultural Open Enrollment outreach campaign in collaboration with Public Health Seattle and King County. The campaign ran from November 1, 2025, through January 15, 202,6 and focused on helping families across King and Snohomish Counties enroll in affordable health insurance coverage.

This community-driven initiative ensured that immigrant families, multilingual communities, and historically underserved residents had access to clear information about health insurance enrollment and available coverage options.

Increasing Health Insurance Access for Diverse Communities

Ensuring equitable access to healthcare begins with clear and culturally relevant communication. Throughout the campaign, Ensemble Washington translated essential health insurance information into multiple languages spoken by communities across the region.

Enrollment materials and guidance were provided in Lingala, French, Arabic, Swahili, Tigrinya, Amharic, Somali, and Haitian Creole. By delivering information in the languages families use at home, Ensemble Washington helped community members understand eligibility, enrollment steps, and available coverage options with confidence.

This approach supports a broader effort to reduce healthcare disparities and improve health literacy among immigrant and BIPOC communities in Washington State.

Strong Partnerships Driving Community Outreach

The success of the campaign was made possible through a strong network of partners working together to bring enrollment support directly into trusted community spaces.

Ensemble Washington collaborated with Public Health Seattle and King County, Ada Is Present LLC, Lululemon, local restaurants and gyms, faith-based institutions, universities, and community organizations across the region.

Public Health Seattle and King County provided critical eligibility tools and enrollment systems that allowed residents to register for coverage during community events. Their experienced public health navigators attended enrollment events and offered individual guidance to help families complete the application process.

Karen Okonkwo, Ensemble Washington’s Project Management Lead, emphasized the importance of collaboration.

“Our success was built on a dedicated network of partners who created trusted spaces for us to reach communities across the region. These partnerships allowed us to move beyond traditional outreach and bring enrollment support directly to the people who needed it most.”

The Move and Learn Series: A Community Centered Approach

One of the most innovative aspects of the campaign was Ensemble Washington’s Move and Learn series.

These community events combined physical activity with health education. Residents participated in group fitness sessions while also learning about health insurance coverage, enrollment opportunities, and healthcare access.

By integrating wellness and education, these events created welcoming environments where community members could ask questions, connect with outreach teams, and receive guidance in a relaxed and empowering setting.

Karen Okonkwo explained the impact of this approach.

“The Move and Learn series created a space where people felt comfortable discussing health insurance while also prioritizing their physical wellbeing. It allowed us to meet the community in a state of wellness rather than only during moments of urgency.”

Social media platforms amplified the campaign’s message by sharing stories, photos, and educational content that highlighted the importance of both movement and healthcare access.

Community Impact and Reflections

Community partners also reflected on the meaningful impact of the campaign.

Adaeze Medani, Founder of Ada Is Present LLC, shared her experience following the final collaboration session.

“Working with Ensemble Washington allowed us to reach people we might not have reached otherwise. Seeing community members come together to move their bodies and then sit down to secure their family’s health care future was incredibly powerful. It demonstrates what public health collaboration can look like moving forward.”

Ensemble Washington’s Commitment to Community Care

This campaign reflects the mission of Ensemble Washington’s Community Care Program, which focuses on addressing essential community needs, including healthcare access, education, and economic stability.

While the formal Open Enrollment period has ended, Ensemble Washington continues to support communities by providing trusted information, connecting residents with resources, and building partnerships that improve long-term health outcomes.

Through strategic collaboration, culturally responsive outreach, and community-centered programming, Ensemble Washington remains committed to helping immigrant and BIPOC communities across Washington State access the healthcare coverage they need.

Lasting change happens one partnership, one project, and one empowered individual at a time.