Group holds local ACA health fair

Attendees got one-on-one time with doctors, help with signing up for health care

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The deadline to enroll for health care under the Affordable Care Act is just 30 days away and one group is traveling across the state to make sure people are enrolled.

Doctors for America made a stop in Jacksonville Saturday at a health fair on the Northside at Tiger Academy.

With workout demos and tables full of healthy eating options, the Y Love Your Body Community heath initiative had plenty of options for people looking to live a healthier lifestyle.

One of those options was signing up for health care, something Thomasina Johnson says is a necessity.  

"Basically because how things are going in a lot of jobs. They don't offer insurance and if they do it's very expensive," Johnson said. "It hits your pockets pretty hard, so for me it was important to make sure that we're covered so that if something goes wrong or my children have an illness, I can take them to the doctor and get adequate care."

Johnson and others there got help from Doctors for America. The group was just one of several here helping people sign up for Health Care.

State Rep. Mia Jones joined them in their efforts. She says there's a greater sense of urgency because the enrollment deadline for the affordable care act, is March 31st.  

"I find as I'm in the grocery store and people come up to me, 'how much longer do I have? I know you said I need to get that done' and so now they're realizing March is here now."

Jones says this is just one of several enrollment fairs planned before the deadline.  

Doctors for America is helping people at these health fairs with things big and small, everything from singing up for healthcare to signing up for an email address.
 
It's part of the groups "Coverage is Good Medicine" tour across Florida. The doctors sat down with each person one on one answering any questions about the Affordable Care Act. 

I'm finding out that a lot of people still don't know a lot of details and so we're here so they can ask questions and we can answer their questions so it's really good," Anna Lizama with Doctors for America said. "They feel like they have confidence in their doctors."  

Armed with all the paperwork needed to get her family enrolled, Johnson says she's one step closer to peace of mind.  

"I feel great," Johnson said. "I'm excited about this because the community needs more of this, considering how the jobs are going. The job market and everything, it's very important to have insurance coverage right now."

Johnson was one of many grateful for the opportunity to get her questions answered and family covered all in one stop.