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President Obama: “Congratulations, Milwaukee!”

Summary:
President Obama visits Milwaukee, Wisconsin to congratulate the city for signing up a large percentage of Americans for health care in the Healthy Communities Challenge.

Watch President Obama’s remarks in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Today, President Obama is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to celebrate the city’s victory in the Healthy Communities Challenge, a competition among 20 cities to increase the number of Americans with health insurance during the latest Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period.

People in Milwaukee took 1st place by signing up 38,000 of their neighbors for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Together with returning enrollees, 89,000 signed up for a 2016 health plan.Watch White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough deliver the news:

Congrats to Milwaukee for winning the Healthy Communities Challenge! You signed up 89,000 people for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act, and President Obama is excited to come thank you in person on Thursday: http://go.wh.gov/Pt3Hea #GetCovered

Posted by The White House on Tuesday, March 1, 2016

More than 90% of American Now Have Health Coverage

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, this is what health care in America looks like today:

  • 20 million Americans have gained health coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act.
  • For the first time ever, more than 90 percent of Americans how have health coverage.
  • About 4 million Hispanic American adults have gained health coverage.
  • The uninsured rate among African American adults has dropped by more than 50 percent.

More than 90% of Americans have health coverage for the first time ever

The Healthy Communities Challenge

Healthy Communities ChallengeIn November 2015, the White House launched the Healthy Communities Challengeto engage key communities with particularly high impact for getting people covered.The Challenge focused on20 communities withlarge numbers or high percentages of uninsured people,where strong federal, state and community collaboration could have a big impact on reaching people who weren’t yet covered.

Communities used innovative tactics to reach out: InNew Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has made ACA resources available on the city website andchallenged barbers and hairstylists to connect their customers to free, in-person enrollment assistance.In Milwaukee, Mayor Tom Barrett opened many city facilities and libraries to host regular enrollment events with licensed healthcare navigators. Learn more about the Healthy Communities Challenge.