Delaware woman shares Obamacare success with President [audio]

When a Delaware woman successfully signed up for “The Affordable Care Act” earlier this month, she never expected that she’d get the opportunity to share her story with the president.

However, Selbyville resident Janice Baker had the opportunity to meet and introduce President Barack Obama during a news conference this afternoon. 

The president addressed the nation regarding the computer glitches associated with the opening of the health insurance marketplace.

Baker was the first Delaware resident to sign up for Obamacare and was among the thousands who attempted to shop the exchange when it opened Oct 1.

The 58-year-old small business owner was finally able to get past the glitches and found a plan that will save her money.

“It took her a few tries. But it was worth it, after being turned for insurance three times due to minor preexisting conditions,” said Obama during his speech. “So now she’ll be covered, she’ll save 150 bucks a month and she won’t have to worry that one illness or accident will cost her her business that she’s worked so hard to build.”

Prior to the press conference Baker said she was able to meet with the president for a few moments in the Oval Office.

“He was proud of me for sticking with it and the frustration pass over the head and keep on going and he was very proud that I was able to enroll and the fact that I’m out here now, that I’ve got my name out here,” said Baker. “Because basically I just want to help people in the same position I’m in now.”  

The president promised that the process will get easier as the kinks get worked out.

“The problem has been that the website that’s supposed to make it easy to apply for and purchase the insurance is not working the way it should for everybody,” said Obama. “There’s no sugarcoating it. The website has been too slow. People have getting stuck during the application process. And I think it’s fair to say that nobody’s more frustrated by that than I am. Precisely because the product is good, I want the cash registers to work, I want the checkout lines to be smooth, so I want people to be able to get this great product. And there’s no excuse for the problems. And it’s, these problems are getting fixed.”

Baker said the experience is something she’ll never forget.

“This is a life-changing experience,” she said. “I’ve got grandkids that called and said ‘we’re so proud of you Nanny’ and that right there meant the world to me being a grandma.”

Baker said she has printed out her insurance information and the next step will be receiving the benefit policy and membership card in the mail.