Uncertainty about the Affordable Care Act maybe keeping some Mississippians from signing-up for health insurance.
According to the Mississippi Insurance Department, more than 51,000 Mississippians have signed-up for coverage on HealthCare.gov., so far this year. During last year's enrollment period, more than 100,000 Mississippians signed-up. The Department of Health and Human Services reports, right now, nationwide enrollment is outpacing last year with 6.4 million requesting coverage. Mississippi's numbers seem to be lagging behind. State Insurance Commission Mike Chaney.
"People have some uncertainty about what's going in the marketplace one and number two, this number is fairly close to what we had before. It won't track the total of 110,000 that we had for 2016 because you still have approximately 27 days left to sign-up," said Chaney.
HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell says they've received thousands of calls from people concerned about what President-elect Donald Trump's plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act means for the program.
"The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land and coverage is available right now through HealthCare.gov. Most people can get coverage for $75 or less a month in premiums. Insurers have emphasized that the coverage people buy today is a contract for 2017. A contract that they will continue to honor," said Burwell.
Commissioner Chaney says Mississippians who need health insurance should sign-up. The deadline is January 15, for coverage that begins February 1.
