The Health Insurance Marketplace at www.healthcare.gov has had a rough launch, no doubt about it. Fixes to the site are supposed to be in place by the end of the month, but clearly the impact has already been felt in the disappointing early enrollment figures. While the Obama Administration had aimed for 500,000 enrollees in the first month, the actual tally was a mere 106,000. We need to do better in insuring more Americans.

Here in New Jersey, we’re calling in reinforcements. On Monday, Veterans Day, NJHA officially announced its new effort to hire 25 U.S. veterans to serve as Certified Application Counselors and assist N.J. residents in enrolling for new coverage options under Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare and the Health Insurance Marketplace. Our first team of CACs have been hired, trained, certified and are already working in the field answering questions and assisting individuals. They’re prepared to assist in enrollment via paper form, telephone or online. Having met several of these veterans, I can tell you that they are up to the task – they are committed, determined, goal-oriented, service-minded problem solvers. They are the right men and women for the job. As the daughter of a Navy Seabee, the sister of a Navy Seabee, the wife of a Naval Officer and the sister-in-law of two Marines, I am proud to play just a small part in this program.

If you’re struggling with your options under the Affordable Care Act, our platoon is ready to assist. We’re in the process of scheduling our teams of CACs in healthcare facilities and other locations across the state. Additional information and a schedule of enrollment events can be found on the Get Help page of our Healthcare Reform Resource Center  at www.njha.com/reform. We’ll be updating it regularly as additional events are scheduled throughout the year, so check back often for a location near you.