(Eagle News) — Former President Donald Trump wanted to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, known by many as Obama Care. President Joe Biden, wants to strength it. Today the Biden administration took concrete steps to move in that direction.

In line with the Executive Order signed by President Biden earlier this year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services opened the Special Enrollment Period for the Health Insurance Marketplace.

People in the 36 states that use the HealthCare.gov platform have the opportunity to take advantage of this Special Enrollment Period. The period starts today, February 15 and runs through Saturday, May 15.

The Special Enrollment Period gives people the chance to enroll in health care coverage. The uninsured can see if they qualify for financial assistance to help pay for health insurance.

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service, 9 out of 10 people enrolled in coverage through HealthCare.gov receive financial help. The center also said 75% of consumers can purchase a health plan for $50 or less per month after financial assistance.

The plans offered through HealthCare.gov cover essential health benefits, like primary care visits, and cover many preventive care services with no out-of-pocket cost to the consumer.

This is good news to individuals who have lost their jobs, and with that their employer-sponsored insurance.

In a release, President Biden emphasized the importance of health care by saying “Health care is a right, not a privilege.”He said that he would do everything in his power to ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care, especially during this pandemic. He also encouraged everyone to use this special enrollment period to help beat the pandemic by strengthening and building on the Affordable Care Act.

And that’s one area that the present Administration is trying to improve – informing everyone about what the Affordable Care Act is and how to use HealthCare.gov to get health insurance.

That’s why aside from extending the period of Special Enrollment, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid along with community partners begins today an education campaign. Their aim is to inform people, especially the uninsured, how to get affordable health insurance and how to take advantage of this Special Enrollment Period.

For more information on how to enroll in health coverage people can visit HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov. There they can view the 2021 plans and prices and enroll in a plan that bests meet their needs. For those who prefer using the telephone, call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596.

(Eagle News Service)