Open enrollment for policies that cover 2017 ends at midnight, Jan. 31. Watch video
As the deadline for buying health insurance through the federal website approaches, talk in Washington of a repeal of Obamacare has not dented interest in enrollment, said the national outreach coordinator for three enrollment centers in the state.
All the appointments for one-on-one enrollment to get help with the application were filled on Monday. Tuesday - the last day of open enrollment - was expected to be busy as well, said Ruthy Rios, of SRA, a company that operates sign-up centers in Iselin, Clifton, and Union City.
Obamacare's Jan 31 deadline falls at a odd time in the political calendar: The former president's signature legislation remains the law of the land, even as the new Trump administration has vowed to repeal it.
Federal health officials have said that any insurance policy purchased through healthcare.gov is a contract with a private insurance company that remains in effect for 2017 - no matter what happens politically.
Rios said consumers who come to sign up for policies were aware of the Affordable Care Act's controversy, but knew they could still purchase policies.
"They don't ask if it still exists," she said of the Affordable Care Act. "They ask what happens if it gets repealed." She explained insurers are contracted to offer coverage through the end of 2017.
Another motivation for enrollment has been the fines that hit the uninsured when it comes time to file their taxes. The 2010 landmark law ordered everyone who could afford it to buy health insurance or pay a fine.
The fine for failing to have coverage during the 2016 tax year is $695 per adult for most income brackets.
That alone has prompted people to get coverage they might not perceive as a high priority in their lives. "Even in light of a possible repeal, they realize the fine is the fine," Rios said. "The penalty is real."
The three centers will be open until 8 p.m. Tuesday to accommodate last-minute people who want to enroll in a plan.
The controversial law was the subject of a brief political tug-of-war last week when Trump officials briefly cancelled public service ads for which air time had already been purchased.
They told Politico that the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services had already spent $60 million on outreach and was looking for ways to economize. Former Obama officials pointed out the ads were already paid for, and were an excellent way to reach younger consumers, who typically wait until the last minute to buy health insurance.
Kathleen O'Brien may be reached at kobrien@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @OBrienLedger. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
