Latinos in Miami are making their way to a kiosk and an office with “Obamacare” signs in a dilapidated shopping center, accompanied by the sounds of salsa music from the food court. They are looking to renew their health insurance plans before the end of the year.

The mall’s vicinity is the most supportive of former President Barack Obama’s health care reform, according to government records. This area has also seen a shift from Democratic to Republican support in recent times, with former President Donald Trump holding multiple rallies here to appeal to Latino voters.

Trump has promised to make new attempts to revoke and substitute the 2010 legislation – a move that would have a significant impact on the area and potentially undo some of the Republican support among Latinos in South Florida, as stated by local experts.

The reelection campaign of President Joe Biden has already taken advantage of Trump’s comments on “Obamacare,” which was implemented during Biden’s time as vice president. This is a part of their larger efforts to influence the highly anticipated 2024 reelection battle between Biden and Trump.

According to Odalys Arevalo, a managing partner at a health insurance agency in Miami that caters to Spanish-speaking clients, health insurance is essential for everyone. She believes that even those who support the Republican Party and have health insurance through Obamacare would not agree with the sudden removal of this coverage.

Arevalo and her colleague, Mercy Cabrera, established enrollment centers to assist individuals in navigating the insurance marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act. They were reminded of the reactions of some Cubans who would reject the program, known as “Obamacare,” due to its association with the expensive government control of health insurance, a term coined by opposing Republicans during the overhaul.

According to Arevalo, the change that prevented insurers from rejecting coverage due to pre-existing medical conditions attracted many Latinos to consider obtaining insurance. In the subsequent years, these women enrolled tens of thousands of people, earning the nickname “Madrinas del Obamacare” or “Obamacare godmothers,” highlighting the important role that godparents play in Latino culture.

They have rebranded as “Las Madrinas de los Seguros” or insurance godmothers to reflect their expanded offerings. However, they still prominently display the term Obamacare on their office walls and in their advertisements.

The term “Obamacare” can be found in various forms of advertising, such as flags, business establishments, and bus signs, all across Miami. Data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shows the widespread implementation of this healthcare program in the city.

Approximately 3.4 million individuals of Hispanic descent have registered for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. In terms of enrollment, Florida has the highest numbers with over 3.2 million individuals choosing a plan during the enrollment period from November 2022 to January. Miami-Dade County has the highest enrollment rate with about 750,000 individuals, which accounts for over a quarter of the total population.

Florida is among the 10 states that have chosen not to expand Medicaid coverage under a provision of the healthcare law.

The top two zip codes for signups in the past year and current year are located in Doral and Hialeah. These areas are known for their large Venezuelan and Cuban populations, and they are frequently visited by Trump for events and rallies.

Trump recently made a statement on his Truth Social platform stating that Obamacare is too expensive and not effective as healthcare. He mentioned that he is considering other options, but has not yet revealed any specific plans. However, he remains determined to end the program, citing the time when Senator John McCain prevented his previous attempts to repeal the law in July 2017.

Under Republican leadership, a provision was successfully implemented to eliminate the penalty for not having health insurance. This was the most disliked aspect of the law and residents in this area report feeling more comfortable with the plans as a result.

The recent editorial by The Miami Herald criticized the proposals put forth by Trump, which were also supported by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, as being disconnected from the views of voters.

The Biden campaign promptly organized a reply, with Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, highlighting a region where “Obamacare” has support.

According to Fried, Miami-Dade County would suffer the most from Trump’s agenda against healthcare.

In a survey conducted by KFF in May 2023, it was found that 59% of Americans hold a positive view of the Affordable Care Act. The same survey conducted by a health policy nonprofit showed that 66% of Hispanics also have a favorable opinion of the law.

Based on data from APVoteCast, a comprehensive study of American voters, 62% of those who voted in the 2022 midterm elections in Florida believe that it is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that all citizens have access to healthcare. Approximately one-third of Florida voters in the 2022 midterms disagree with this view. Among Latino or Hispanic voters in Florida, 77% believe that the federal government should be responsible for ensuring healthcare coverage for all Americans, while 20% do not share this belief.

Zulina Ruiz, a 72-year-old retired lawyer from Venezuela, said she found out about the Affordable Care Act options quickly after arriving in the U.S. in 2017. She said she is particularly grateful for having access to drugs to treat her high blood pressure. Green card holders, refugees and other migrants who have been granted temporary protected status or who have come recently with humanitarian parole also qualify for coverage under the law.

She expressed the significance of this matter to her and emphasized that a candidate cannot simply eliminate this program. Doing so would result in leaving millions of individuals with low incomes without insurance coverage.

In May, Ruiz acquired U.S. citizenship, but has not affiliated with a specific political party. She is unsure of who she will support in the upcoming election.

Ruiz stated that she has not made a decision yet and there are no official candidates at this time. She also mentioned that she still has a strong political connection to Venezuela. The increasing support for Republicans in Miami can be attributed to Trump’s track record of opposing socialist leaders in Latin America, which includes implementing sanctions on Venezuelan officials from the White House.

“Health policy is of utmost importance to me,” stated Ruiz.

Biden’s campaign for reelection has released advertisements in important states highlighting his efforts to reduce drug prices compared to Trump’s promise to repeal the health care reform. Notably, Florida was not included in this advertising effort.

According to Arevalo, a godmother, Miami voters may not fully support all the stances of the candidates they choose to support.

However, when it comes to the impact of Obamacare on a local level, the program gained support from the people in Miami after they became more familiar with it, despite their initial reservations.

“When Trump became president, there were individuals who expressed their disassociation from Obamacare. Our response was, ‘Obamacare, Trumpcare, it doesn’t matter.’ The crucial aspect is ensuring that everyone has access to health insurance and the ability to maintain their well-being.”