(Photo courtesy Flickr)
By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – Local volunteers are doing the work that used to be done by the federal government. They’re encouraging people to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
The Trump Administration has failed to repeal Obamacare, but is slashing funds for advertising to let people know the enrollment period runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15.
Debbie Lubbert said the 20 or so McLean County volunteers are using traditional methods to get the word out.
“There are flyers we can print. They come in English and Spanish,” Lubbert told WJBC’s Sam Wood.
“Flyers will be distributed to libraries, and churches, and grocery stores, doctors offices, all kinds of places where there are bulletin boards, and in places to distribute flyers,” Lubbert also said.
She said she volunteered because her husband has a preexisting condition, was laid-off from work earlier this year, and received a tax subsidy for health insurance from the ACA marketplace.
Lubbert said lack of federal funding to keep Obamacare functioning means it’s harder to identify local navigators, those people working for non-profit organizations and trained to help people sign up for health coverage.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
