Half of Americans don't know there's an ObamaCare penalty this year

A new poll released Thursday found that only about half of Americans are aware that fines will be levied beginning this year on anyone who has not acquired insurance pursuant to the requirements of the ACA, or ObamaCare. While a few of the other half incorrectly believe the fines started last year, more than a third of Americans either think penalties kick in starting in 2016 — or have no idea what the timeline is at all.

Administration officials are trying to put a positive spin on the rude surprise in store for the uninformed come tax day. "For many people, this will be the first time they discover they have the opportunity to get coverage for themselves and their families," said Andy Slavitt, of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

But with penalties that will take hundreds of dollars out of uninsured families' tax refunds, excitement over this discovery may not be the obvious reaction to the fines for most people.

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