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LISTEN: Profiles of Uninsured in Texas as Marketplace Opens

Veronica Zaragovia for KUT News
Paula Phillips of San Marcos lacks health insurance and struggles to put money aside for medical bills. She may not qualify for a health insurance tax credit and is too young for Medicare.

Central Texas has more than 100,000 uninsured people – some of whom may decide to get coverage through the health insurance marketplace that launches today.

On the player below, listen to interviews with three Central Texans who are uninsured – about their health care situation – and what they might do as the Affordable Care Act takes effect.

We hear first from 60-year-old Paula Phillips, who earns too little to qualify for a tax subsidy for insurance through the marketplace and is too young for Medicare. She's followed by 26-year-old Eric Bradley  from Austin and and 27-year-old Maria Acuña from Del Valle.

The piece was produced in conjunction with the Austin American-Statesman's Tim Eaton and Kelly West. You can read more about the uninsured in Central Texas – in today’s print edition of the Statesman or at statesman.com.

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