Covered California Applauds President Obama Spreading ‘The Word’ About Open Enrollment
President Takes over Popular Segment on ‘The Colbert Report’ to Reach Young Americans and Encourage Them to Sign Up for Health Care Coverage
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California applauded the president’s use of humor and facts to reach young Americans, to let them know about the importance of obtaining health care coverage during the current open-enrollment period.
On Monday night, President Barack Obama took over Stephen Colbert’s popular “The Word” segment on “The Colbert Report.” Acting as the cable television host, President Obama launched into a monologue about the Affordable Care Act, titled “To Health in a Handbasket,” as tongue-in-cheek words and phrases appeared next to him.
“The Colbert Report” is extremely popular with viewers ages 18-49, which are also key demographics for the Affordable Care Act.
Covered California lauded President Obama for being willing to poke fun at himself and the Affordable Care Act while getting the facts out to promote enrollment. Peter V. Lee, the executive director of Covered California, said, “The president is doing his part to reach millennials during open enrollment, and we’re doing ours by sharing this humorous effort to get young people to apply for affordable health coverage.”
Covered California will be sharing the video below with groups the agency partners with to promote enrollment, such as Young Invincibles, Institute for Healthcare Advancement, United Health Workers, Unidos Por La Musica, Beinestar Human Services and the University of Southern California, along with more than 200,000 fans on Facebook; more than 40,000 followers on Twitter; and more than 28,000 Certified Insurance Agents, Certified Enrollment Counselors and county eligibility workers.
Although open enrollment runs until Feb. 15, consumers need to enroll in a health insurance plan by Dec. 15 in order to have their coverage start on Jan. 1, 2015. Consumers can enroll online at CoveredCA.com or get free, confidential, in-person assistance from a Certified Insurance Agent or Certified Enrollment Counselor, by using the “Find Local Help” button on our website.
About Covered California
Covered California is the state’s marketplace for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California, in partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services, was charged with creating a new health insurance marketplace in which individuals and small businesses can get access to affordable health insurance plans. Covered California helps individuals determine whether they are eligible for premium assistance that is available on a sliding-scale basis to reduce insurance costs or whether they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Small businesses can purchase competitively priced health insurance plans and offer their employees the ability to choose from an array of plans and may qualify for federal tax credits.
Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the new market work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the Legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.