Maryland Rolls Out Marketing Campaign For 'Obamacare'

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Remember all the talk about "Obamacare?" Well, the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010 and is finally making its way to Maryland. Starting this October, residents will be able to enroll.

Mary Bubala reports first the state is rolling out a marketing campaign to get your attention.

It's a multi-media campaign designed to give Marylanders information about the new health insurance coverage available through federal reforms.

"What people will see is real Marylanders who are currently uninsured and why they believe it's so important to have health insurance. Some of the interesting reasons are it gives people peace of mind to know that they are not going to have unexpected out-of-pocket costs, that they are going to be safe in an emergency," said Maryland Health Exchange Executive Director Rebecca Pearce.

Nearly 800,000 Marylanders are uninsured and federal and state officials hope this closes the gap by offering no cost or low-cost health insurance plans.

The state is spending $2.5 million getting the word out. Enrollment opens starting Oct. 1 for coverage that becomes effective Jan. 1, the date the health reform law takes effect nationwide.

"People can't be turned down for having a pre-existing condition and it's a new opportunity for people to get health insurance who haven't been able to afford it before," the ad said.

The state is partnering with the Baltimore Ravens. The ads will be featured during Ravens pre-game coverage.

Information will also be available online and at retailers like Giant and CVS.