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The first task for the new surgeon general will be driving up enrollment for ObamaCare – an issue that threatened to derail his confirmation a month ago. Vivek Murthy, who was appointed the U.S. Surgeon General last month, is spending two months meeting with local officials and health leaders in 20 cities, in part to remind them that the last day to sign up for ObamaCare is Feb. 15. (Ferris, 1/26)

Californians received $3.2 billion in Obamacare premium subsidies during the rollout of the federal health law last year. That federal aid went to about 800,000 California households, state officials said Monday. Those individuals and families paid $1.1 billion in premiums themselves, meaning for every dollar they spent the federal government paid an additional $3 to their health insurer. Nearly 90% of enrollees in the Covered California exchange qualified for financial help based on their income. The average monthly subsidy was $436 per household, according to the state. (Terhune, 1/26)

Some 800,000 California households received $3.2 billion in federal health care subsidies last year, officials said Monday. (Cadelago, 1/26)