Why is Oscar health paying for obamacare ads with their own money?

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As Federal Government Cuts Obamacare Ads, Private Insurer Steps Up

Health insurance company Oscar has started its own ad campaign for the Affordable Care Act.

Oscar Health

Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act insurance doesn't start for another six weeks. But the quirky insurance startup Oscar Health is launching an ad campaign Monday aimed at getting young people to enroll.

The company is boosting its ad spending after the Trump administration announced it would slash its ACA advertising budget by 90 percent.

On Monday morning, commuters in New York City were met with posters blanketing the subway system that showed actual Oscar customers touting the benefits of having insurance coverage.

One poster shows a pregnant woman holding her belly with a bandage on it that says "we're covered."

Oscar Vice President Sara Rowghanisays the company is stepping up in part because the government is pulling back.

"Particularly in this year of uncertainty, it's really important for us to be in market early and and reassure the 22 million folks that are insured that it is really important to get covered," she tells Shots.

Rowghani says the early message focuses on reminding people about open enrollment. The ads include the dates enrollment starts and ends, with the Oscar logo much less prominent.

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