Utahns must sign up for health care before window closes


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SALT LAKE CITY — Monday is the deadline to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Resistance to the plan in Utah was strong in the beginning, but things are changing.

In Utah, about 40,000 picked a plan between Oct. 1 and March 1 — well on the way to reach a goal of 57,000 by the end of the month. Nationwide, the Obama administration says 6 million people have signed up for insurance plans under the new health care law.

The signup started badly, causing frustration for millions, including Corinne Dalton, who works as a medical interpreter.

“It was full of glitches,” said Dalton. “I would go through the entire process, at the very last step it would freeze.”

But Dalton soon found her frustration, and the politics over the new law, overshadowed by her need for health insurance. She turned to a broker for help.

Lloyd Coleman's company has helped dozens of people cut through confusion.

“If the law is what it is today, I’m going to do what I can today to help them comply with the law, so I’m helping them do that whether I agree with the law or not, necessarily,” said Coleman, an insurance broker.

This month has been busy with people signing up. More than 78,000 completed applications as the Monday deadline approaches, and the rate is steady, according to U.S. Health and Human Services.

Utah Health Policy Project's Jason Stevenson says the higher enrollment shows attitudes about the ACA are "evolving."

“That’s not political,” Stevenson said. “If you save $200 a month on health insurance, even if you’re not insured, but you can get the same policy and save $200 a month, that’s money in the bank.”


If the law is what it is today, I'm going to do what I can today to help them comply with the law, so I'm helping them do that whether I agree with the law or not, necessarily.

–Lloyd Coleman


But the health care law is still confusing for small-business owners. We spoke with several who feel the tax structure, the costs and burdens are unsustainable in the long run. That includes cost-shifts that pay for subsidies

But those subsidies are helping people like medical student John Morgan buy his insurance. Morgan is 26 and part of the "invincible" generation that resists buying insurance because they don't think they'll get their money's worth. He finally decided he should take advantage of the system, even if he doesn't agree with it.

On the flip side politically, Deb Henry was eager to sign up for a plan.

“I know how easily someone can be thrown into a tailspin with their finances because of one health bill or illness,” Henry said.

In fact, Utah has the highest rate of enrolling those ages 18-34 — 31 percent of all those signed up.

In all age groups, 86 percent are finding their insurance is affordable because of the subsidies.

Negotiating the ins and outs of the Affordable Care Act and Healthcare.gov is still causing headaches for people. But there is help available in these final days before the doors close to sign up for health care.

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Rich Piatt

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