Nutter talks Obamacare exchanges, disses Republicans in Congress

In a City Hall press conference, Mayor Nutter talked up tonight's launch of health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act, or "Obamacare," and took shots at Republicans who are threatening to shutdown the federal government tomorrow if the law is not delayed or gutted.

"In my personal opinion, it is virtually un-American," Nutter, a Democrat, said of what's going in Washington. "It's about hate. It's about fear."

Nutter called shutting down the federal government "madness" but said it's not too late to be averted before midnight, when the last appropriations bill approved by Congress expires.

"Eight hours is not a long time, but it is more than enough time for [members of Congress] to remember they work for the American people," he said.

Midnight is also when the insurance exchanges, virtual marketplaces where customers can compare plans, will go live.

The exchanges are managed at the state and federal levels, but the city is working to assist and educate residents about changes resulting from Obamacare. Nutter said customers can go to phila.gov/health for information.