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Medical copays reduce health care access in MS prisons; Israel planted explosives in pagers sold to Hezbollah according to official sources; Serving looks with books: Libraries fight 'fast fashion' by lending clothes; Menhaden decline threatens Virginia's ecosystem, fisheries.

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JD Vance calls for toning down political rhetoric, while calls for his resignation grow because of his own comments. The Secret Service again faces intense criticism, and a right to IVF is again voted down in the US Senate.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Tick-tock: Deadline to Enroll in Health Coverage Under ACA Looms

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Monday, March 24, 2014   

CORNELIUS, N.C. - North Carolinians have one week left to enroll in medical insurance under the Affordable Care Act. So far, some 200,000 people have signed up in the Tar Heel State - well above the anticipated number of people who would take advantage of the policies available at Healthcare.gov.

A mother of twin girls, Kimberly Tonyan of Cornelius, signed up for herself in December and thanks to subsidies available pays $27 a month for their insurance.

"It is a big-time relief," she said. "I can just sleep at night and, you know, take better care of myself, and we had no issues whatsoever with the website."

There are trained "navigators" available throughout the state to help people sign up for coverage (People can call 1-855-733-3711 to be connected with them).

If you miss the March 31 deadline, enrollment won't open again until Nov. 15.

This week as March Madness begins on the basketball courts, UNC's basketball coach, Roy Williams, lent his voice to the effort to encourage people to sign up by participating in a video produced by the White House.

According to Adam Searing, health project director at the North Carolina Justice Center, people may be surprised about the affordable coverage that is available to them.

"I think a lot of people think they don't qualify for assistance, especially younger folks, and I have to say that's just clearly not the case," he said.

Kimberly Tonyan, who is self-employed, wants to encourage others in need of affordable coverage to sign up by the deadline.

"Get out there and do it, because it's not invasive, it's nothing intimidating," she declared. "If you need coverage, do it. "

North Carolina is one of seven states that surpassed its enrollment goal.

Under the ACA, if people don't obtain health coverage by the deadline, there is a penalty of $95 per person for the year. The maximum penalty per family using this method is $285, and advocates point out that the more people who have coverage, the less the burden on the health-care system.



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