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Political Insider

Posted: 4:59 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013

Among first to sign up for Obamacare? A college student alters his claim 

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By Jim Galloway

Here's what we posted on Thursday:

Enroll America, the organization plugging Obamacare, is putting out the name of Chad Henderson of Georgia as one of the first to sign up for a health care policy under the Affordable Care Act. From the Washington Post’s Wonkblog:

He's a student at Chattanooga State University who lives across the state border in Flintstone, Ga. (population: 3,456). He describes himself as a supporter of President Obama who has anxiously awaited Obamacare's rollout.

"I haven't had health insurance for 14 years," Henderson said. "My dad put me on BlueCross BlueShield, but the premiums kept rising, and we dropped it since he wasn't making that much."

Henderson is a part-time worker at a day-care center. He did not qualify for tax credits to purchase health coverage because his income is below the poverty line. Since Georgia is not expanding the Medicaid program, that meant Henderson was essentially responsible for his entire premium.

Updated at 4 p.m. Friday: The Post now says that in a second conversation, the young man has changed his story slightly:

The Post: So your dad says you haven't purchased health insurance.

Chad Henderson: Here’s my response. Most reporters, I’m not calling anyone out especially you, they haven't had access to the web site. They weren't very clear as to how the process went. Most people have no understanding that it’s a two-step process. One is you fill out an application. It sends you a notification received successfully.

The next step is comparing the prices, comparing all the plans. And that’s when you purchase the plan. I said I enrolled in the marketplace. I never said I chose a specific plan. But the number I gave you, the $175 or $200 or whatever, that is the plan I am choosing. My dad is choosing a different plan. So, enrollment meant that my application was sent and approved. That’s what I meant by enrollment. I have not purchased a specific plan. That’s what’s confusing people.

My dad was right. I have chosen mine. He hasn't chosen his yet.


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Jim Galloway

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Jim Galloway is a three-decade veteran of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution who writes the Political Insider blog and column.

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