Final push for health care sign Up

Time is running out to lock down health insurance for 2018. Those who don't sign up will face a financial penalty on their tax returns.
 
It was a full house Friday in the waiting area at the Foundation Communities office on Airport Blvd. The number of those coming in to sign up for health insurance had the director of Insure Central Texas, Elizabeth Colvin, smiling.
 
"We are very pleased, but we still have work to do. We obviously need to get a lot more people in between now and December 15,” said Colvin.
 
Last year 1.2 million Texans enrolled into the health care marketplace. Since open enrollment began in November, 437,979 people in Texas have signed up. Despite the gap, the amount is a 39 percent increase from the number of people who enrolled during the same period of time last year. Getting the final number back up, according to Colvin, once again involves convincing younger people to enroll.
 
"It’s a hard sell, people still don’t understand the value of health insurance, that accidents happen, and we all need the financial protection that insurance comes with,” said Colvin.
 
Open enrollment ends December 15 and those who don’t sign up face a financial penalty. Health care advocates had a lot more time last year to work with, 3 months compared to the month and a half this year. And all of the political talk of late about repeal, hasn't made things any easier.
 
With government assistance there are plans available that offer monthly premiums of $75 or less. In 2016 the average tax credit for a 27-year-old with a $25,000 income was a little more than $1164. That was an increase from the previous year. A family of four with a $60,000 income also saw an increase in the tax credit. The assistance, convinced Christopher Alexander, to sign up again.
 
"Before OBAMA Care became the law, I was just rolling the dice, until it became a thing in 2009, 2001, and I had no insurance ... let’s hope it stays the law for a little bit longer for sure,” said Alexander.
 
Enrollment campaigns are scheduled for the weekend kicking off the final five day push.