WASHINGTON -- Wednesday marks a full year since President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, and the White House is looking to play up the law's tangible benefits amid an ongoing raft of legal challenges and divided public opinion on its effects.
A Gallup poll released Tuesday found that Americans remain divided on the health care overhaul, as millions still struggle to obtain insurance coverage. Some may have a long wait, as many key planks of the law won't take effect until 2014.
Wisely, the White House chose to highlight the anniversary Tuesday by focusing on one of the law's most popular provisions, the so-called "Young Invincibles" program that currently allows young people to remain on their parents' health care plans until age 26.
The White House website is featuring an interview with Erick Moberg, a senior at Michigan State University who is taking advantage of that measure. Moberg said in the White House interview that he plans to take a year off after graduation to prepare his medical school application.
During the interview, Moberg received a surprise phone call from Obama, who tells him, "obviously we're proud of your aspirations."
In a plug for the law, Obama added: "The fact that you're able to stay on your parents' health insurance up to the age of 26 obviously makes a huge difference."
Groups that supported the health care overhaul are holding celebratory events all over the country this week, touting the benefits of the law.
By contrast, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which lobbied heavily against the law, is marking its anniversary with ads decrying it as a "bad prescription." The Chamber also hosted a conference call with small business owners who are worried that the law's coverage mandates will force them to raise costs and hamper them from hiring new employees.
WATCH the interview with Moberg: