SEATTLE — Growing up, 28-year-old Kort Havens' family didn't have health care. Adulthood didn't guarantee him coverage either.
"As a freelance person, it was really difficult to be able to find affordable health care before that."
When the state rolled out the Washington Health Plan Finder, Havens jumped at the chance to enroll for coverage. He's also re-enrolling again this fall, even though he's healthy right now.
"Just having that peace of mind that I had some coverage and that I could no longer be denied coverage because of some pre-existing condition or anything like that was just a huge weight off my shoulders really," Havens said.
The weight of the world, in fact, because Havens' family has endured severe illness-- without health insurance.
"Before the Affordable Care Act came out I watched my mother deteriorate and become a person that I didn't recognize," Havens said. "I watched her just slowly die in front of me. Luckily she's doing a lot better now. The fact that could happen is something that's just terrifying to me."
Havens is re-enrolling for his health coverage online, because for him --- gone are the days of sifting through packets and brochures, and waiting "on hold" to enroll over the phone.
"I want to just go onto a website enter my information you give me a few options and I’ll choose whatever looks best to me."
Even though Havens is advocating online enrollment, people can enroll for the Washington Health Plan Finder either in person, or over the phone.
However, online enrollments are most popular.