803,000 Georgians Eligible for Health Care Subsidy

On Wednesday, figures released by Families USA show 803,000 Georgians are eligible for a subsidy.

And with less than three weeks to go before open enrollment begins, there is some urgency in getting the word out.

“We are rolling up our sleeves and calling all hands on-deck,” said Amanda Ptashkin with Georgians for a Healthy Future, one of the so-called “Navigators” working to sign up eligible residents.

“Nothing could be more important than changing this system of healthcare away from a sick-care system to a well-care system,” said Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga).

Johnson also accused Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens of trying to throw a “monkey wrench into the health care machinery.” Hudgens, a Republican, has long been critical of the federal health law.

Despite the political rambling, officials say the exchange system will be up and running on Oct. 1, although coverage won’t kick in until Jan. 1.

Meanwhile, in-person assistance centers are now open.

Click for a stat sheet from Families USA that includes a list of those centers.