Volunteers Trying To Get Uninsured Into Health Plans Before Time Runs Out
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- With the deadline looming to enroll for health insurance under the new federal law, advocates are increasing their efforts to get the uninsured to sign up.
Today, volunteers went door-to-door along South Street in South Philadelphia.
"We are visiting different retail shops and just informing everyone about the March 31st deadline," said Keiwana McKinney, who led a small group of volunteers handing out leaflets and generally cheerleading for the Affordable Care Act. "Regardless of your health, you can always receive health insurance through Obamacare."
Health reform proponents know the botched initial rollout has contributed to lower-than-hoped-for enrollment numbers, and they're having to sell it all over again with events like this.
Before hitting South Street, they heard from recent enrollee Maggie Harrison (third from right in photo) about what they're up against.
"When you heard, 'Ugh, I was applying for health care' and (the response) was, like, 'Oh, sorry,' now I feel like that's changing," she noted.
Federal officials are expected to release new enrollment figures this week and have said they should top three million -- about 11 percent of those eligible.
