If you are one of the many Americans who purchase their own health care coverage or own a small business, starting in 2014 you will have access to more affordable private insurance options at the new Health Insurance Marketplace. A provision of the Affordable Care Act, the Marketplace will provide individuals. families, and small businesses with a way to purchase high quality health insurance plans starting October 1, 2013, with coverage set to begin January 1, 2014. It will offer Americans a one-stop-shopping opportunity to learn about health insurance options and to compare private insurance plans. You will be able to get comprehensive information on benefits and quality as well as facts about price and affordability to make the best coverage decision for yourself, your family and/or your employees.

The best place to find information about how the Health Insurance Marketplace will work, the benefits, and key deadlines and milestones is at HealthCare.gov. It is not too soon to check out this site and sign up for emails or text message updates so you are ready when it's time to enroll.

Also, to ensure that all Americans get the coverage and care they deserve, we need your help engaging your networks and your community. So after you sign up, please get the word out on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr or other social media. We need you to help everyone take health care into their own hands.

Getting America covered: It begins now.