Saturday, December 15, is the deadline for Michiganders eligible to sign up for health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act.
Just over 126 thousand Michiganders have signed up for Obamacare coverage during this year’s enrollment period. That’s down significantly compared to last year.
Critics blame cuts to advertising and assistance programs for fewer people signing up.
Doug O’Brien is the regional director of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
“We’re focusing a lot on social media and on electronic communication with our target audience rather than very expensive mass media, which spends a lot of taxpayer dollars and really doesn’t get the information where it most importantly needs to be.”
Different groups plan to help last minute sign ups ahead of the Saturday’s midnight deadline.