More than 55,000 Iowans signed up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act during the most current enrollment period. That is a 10,000 person increase in enrollment since last year.

This enrollment period starts November 1, 2015, and lasted until the end of last month.

The last minute rush to avoid penalty for individuals is likely what caused the increase in signing up for subsidized health care coverage.

“The increase in the number of people insured is due to a couple things,” said director of Iowa Medicaid, Jennifer Vermeer. “One, just growing awareness about the program. And two, penalties that are tied to the requirement to get insurance also increase over time.”

Since the Obama Care policy came out in 2010, it has helped more Americans have access to affordable, quality health insurance.

“I think having insurance coverage is beneficial to the individual because if you have a condition, then you can access coverage to get treatment,” Vermeer said.

The Daily Iowan TV has the full story