HHS secretary encourages residents to enroll in health coverage

Secretary Sylvia Burwell take tour of enrollment event

SAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary was in the Alamo City Friday to encourage residents to enroll in health coverage through the Federal Marketplace.

Secretary Sylvia Burwell took a tour of an enrollment event at Southwest General Hospital Friday afternoon. Her visit comes just two days before the final Health Insurance Marketplace deadline Sunday.

This is consumers' last opportunity to enroll in Marketplace coverage this year and to avoid paying a penalty for failing to carry health insurance.

"Ask any insurance company they prefer that people are in for the full year, so we saw that big push then and we're continuing to ramp up here at the end," Burwell said.

The last day to enroll in Marketplace coverage and avoid paying a penalty for not having health insurance is Sunday.