There's no day but today for the ACA

As I walk my dog and reflect on life's issues I think of songs and lyrics that I can tie to my blog post.  Today is the first day of enrollment for 2019 for those needing to enroll or reenroll in the ACA.  The enrollment period is November 1 - December 15, 2018.  Click here for more information or to enroll. This is for health insurance for those who otherwise would be unable to afford health care.  Since the implementation of the ACA in 2010, the Federal government has imposed a tax penalty if one did not enroll in health care.  This mandate has been eliminated by the current administration and this will be the first year that it is not mandatory to enroll in a health plan.   This administration is against the ACA mandate and does not support guaranteed health care as a right to all citizens.  As of today, I have not seen any government sponsored advertisements encouraging open enrollment.  The current administration speculates enrollment will fade away but if demand remains this can't happen.

Thus it is now optional to enroll in a healthcare plan.  Short term it may seem like a benefit to young millennial's who do not want to be burdened by the expense of medical insurance.  If however one does need insurance down the road it will be more difficult and expensive to enroll if a pre-existing condition develops.  According to Cigna  if you are currently enrolled in health insurance (effective since 2010) you cannot be denied coverage when applying for new or changed healthcare benefits.  Under newer plans for new enrollees, since the mandate was eliminated this may no longer be true.  

The song that came to my mind during my walk today is "There's No Day But Today" from the Broadway musical Rent.  In the musical as the character Mimi was inflicted with illness there was no day like this to live life to its fullest. If you are young and healthy there is no day like today to enroll and continue your health care benefits.  I encourage all readers to do their homework and enroll in a plan that will give you adequate coverage for now and into the future. There is no tomorrow without good health.  


Wendy is a realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She works with buyers, sellers and some renters.  She enjoys blogging about things near and dear to her such as health and happiness.  Some of her favorite pastimes include walking her dog and attending Broadway musicals.  

Lyrics:

There's only us, there's only this
Forget regret, or life is your's to miss
No other path, no other way
No day but today

There's only us, only tonight
We must let go to know what's right
No other road, No other way
No day but today

I can't control my destiny
I trust my soul, my only goal
Is just to be

There's only now, there's only here
Give in to love or live in fear
No other path, No other way
No day but today

There's only us, There's only this
Forget regret, or life is your's to miss
No other road, no other way 
No day but today
No day but today
(No day but today)
No day but today
(No day but today)
No day but today
(No day but today)
No day but today

Songwriters: Jonathan D. Larson

No Day But Today lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group