On the last day to get health insurance through the Affordable Care Act before emergency room fees would kick in, Orange and Osceola residents had the opportunity to sign up at two events organized by Working America and Rep. Alan Grayson (D-9). <\/p>\n
\"We have made a very substantial effort to inform the community about the availability of this health care,\" Grayson said Sunday. While he said Republicans in congress have made it difficult for the Obama administration to advertise the ACA, \"we've made 70,000 automated calls and handed out 20,000 flyers. We're trying to inform people of something of extreme value to them.\" <\/p>\n
The event in Kissimmee was held at the Robert Gueuvara Community Center, while the Orlando event was at Ana G. Mendez University on Semoran Boulevard. <\/p>\n
\"People of course are very eager to make sure to get their questions answered before the deadline today,\" said Maribeth Healey, project director for Working America, the community affiliate of the AFL-CIO. \"We're helping to provide that info to them.\" <\/p>\n
Sunday was the last day people could sign up for coverage in order to be insured by March 1, when emergency room fees of $320 would be charged to those without insurance. People could still sign up after Sunday, but would not get insured until April 1. <\/p>\n
Even those who began the process Sunday would be credited as meeting the deadline, said Health Insurance Store spokesman Alan Bird. <\/p>\n
In Florida, 20 percent of residents have no health insurance, Grayson said, with that number reaching 40 percent in the Hispanic community. <\/p>\n
\"We want to make sure as many Floridians as possible get the right plan for their families,\" Healey said. <\/p>\n
Visitors could come in and answer questions about family size and income, to determine whether they make enough in income $11,600 to qualify for a tax credit. Many who don't qualify but also don't have incomes below $10,000 to qualify for Medicaid fall into what they called the \"gap.\" <\/p>\n
\"Almost a million Floridians fall into the gap,\" said Working America volunteer Mary Jo Pezzi. \"They may not be able to get them (insurance), but we can give them advice and at least get their information.\" <\/p>\n
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Volunteers help with health care signups at ACA deadline<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On the last day to get health insurance through the Affordable Care Act before emergency room fees would kick in, Orange and Osceola residents had the opportunity to sign up at two events organized by Working America and Rep. Alan Grayson (D-9). \"We have made a very substantial effort to inform the community about the availability of this health care,\" Grayson said Sunday. Continue reading