President Obama encouraged people to enroll in the health insurance marketplace through the Affordable Care Act in his weekly address Saturday, eight days ahead of the deadline for enrollment.
“As the Affordable Care Act has taken effect, nearly 18 million Americans have gained coverage,” Obama said, touting the success of his signature healthcare legislation. “In fact, for the first time ever, more than 90 percent of Americans are covered. “Up to 129 million Americans with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage or be charged more just because they’ve been sick.”
The president noted Obamacare has allowed people to take their health insurance with them when they change jobs.
States have begun a push to enroll more people in Obamacare as the Jan. 31 deadline approaches.
This year, the Obamacare uninsured penalty will jump to $695 in an effort to pressure people without coverage to sign up for healthcare.
