Groups set to provide help as health law's second enrollment period begins

People looking to enroll for the first time or to review their coverage for a potentially better deal can go to the Durham County Health Department, at 414 E. Main St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday or Wake Health Services, at 1001 Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Last year, 350,000 people across North Carolina used the federal exchange, HealthCare.gov, to obtain health insurance. More than 7 million people nationwide enrolled for coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Still, about 15 percent of the people in Durham remain uninsured. So, 4th District Congressman David Price and community organizers said Monday that more work needs to be done to reach out to as many people as possible in the coming enrollment period.

"We want to continue to talk with traditionally hard-to-reach populations, such as young people, African-Americans (and) Latinos," Price said. "(We need to) make sure they understand what financial assistance is available through the Affordable Care Act and the resources are available to help them get coverage."

The enrollment period runs through Feb. 15. Anyone who doesn't obtain coverage – and doesn't have health insurance through their employer – faces a tax penalty of $325 or 2 percent of their annual income, whichever is greater.