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Federal and County Officials Promote Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Period

November 24, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and Region V HHS Director Kathleen Falk encouraged Wisconsinites to sign-up for new, affordable health care plans or renew their existing plans during the Affordable Care Act's open enrollment period. Open enrollment for 2015 began on November 15 and runs through February 15, but individuals who want their coverage to begin on January 1 must sign up by December 15.

More information on Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment and local resources are available here.

"The Affordable Care Act is working. It is expanding access to health care, lowering the cost of health insurance plans, and improving quality of care for Wisconsinites." said Rep. Mark Pocan. "This year, there are many new, affordable options in the Health Insurance Marketplace for Wisconsin. If you already have coverage from the Marketplace, make sure you are getting the best deal, by going to www.healthcare.gov and checking out the new options. With more plans to choose from this year, you may find a new plan that saves you more money through tax credits, offers more services, or includes more doctors."

"The Affordable Care Act is working for Wisconsin thanks to the reforms we put in place four years ago. Nearly 140,000 Wisconsinites signed up for private health insurance coverage through the marketplace as of May. The first year of enrollment exceeded expectations and more people in Wisconsin now have health insurance coverage because of the Affordable Care Act. We now have an opportunity to build on that success," U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin said. "We know that some politicians will carry on their calls for repealing the Affordable Care Act because they want the health care law to fail. But we aren't going to repeal health insurance for 140,000 Wisconsinites and we are not going back to the days when insurance companies could drop your coverage because you get sick, get older, or have a baby. We aren't going back to the days when insurance companies were charging whatever they want when you get sick and jacking up premiums and deductibles because of a preexisting condition. We are going to move heath care reform forward because the American people deserve to know their coverage will be there when they need it most."

"My goal is that all Dane County residents – without exception -- have quality, affordable health care," Dane County Executive Joe Parisi said. "I am grateful to our staff and volunteers who are helping people sign up for health insurance coverage at locations throughout Dane County, including our Dane County Job Center. I urge our community to help spread the word that now is the time to sign up for health insurance during open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act."

"Great Progress that about 10 million more people have insurance now than a year ago," said Region V HHS Director Kathleen Falk. "But there are still many uninsured in the Dane County area. Surveys show a majority of the uninsured do not know there is this important opportunity for them to obtain affordable, quality health care from now until February 15 – with the need to purchase by December 15 for coverage to start January 1. And we encourage people who enrolled last year to shop again this year because there are even more insurers to choose from in Wisconsin."

"The Affordable Care Act has greatly improved my life. My best health care insurance option used to be almost twice what my premium is now," said Oma Vic McMurray, a Madison resident and child care provider. "The problem was that I could not afford to see a doctor using my previous health care plan because my deductible was so high. Basically, I was betting I might need catastrophic health care someday more than I needed to see a doctor when I was sick. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, I now have a health care plan that is truly affordable. With my current plan, not only do I get to see a doctor when I need to, but my prescriptions are affordable too. I also get a reimbursement from my health care provider as a benefit for participating in a ‘Wellness program'."

"The Affordable Care Act is not just improving my access to health care, it has made my life much more humane," continued Oma Vic McMurray. "Feeling well does bring a greater sense of joy in my life, which is important in the work I do with children. I am so grateful for the Affordable Care Act for what it has given to me, my family and my whole community."

Issues:Healthcare