Obama tweets: ‘I signed the ACA for kids like Marcelas Owens’

President Obama on Wednesday gave a shoutout to the then-11-year-old boy who stood beside him while he signed his signature healthcare law in 2010.

In a tweet, Obama said he signed the law for kids like Marcelas Owens, whose mother died of pulmonary hypertension in part because she went without healthcare insurance.

I signed the ACA for kids like Marcelas Owens. He lost his mom bc she couldn't afford coverage. Today millions of Americans finally can. -bo

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 1, 2014

Many of the provisions in ObamaCare, including coverage and subsidies for individual who purchased insurance on the online healthcare exchange, started Wednesday.

The tweet was signed “BO,” signifying that Obama wrote it himself. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal earlier this year, Owens, now in high school, said the passage of the law inspired him to get involved in other advocacy.

The White House sent out a number of tweets on Wednesday highlighting positive stories about healthcare coverage through the new program.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Lucy H. from TX is saving $2,300/yr on her insurance premium after signing up at http://t.co/1WenO0QCRz.

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 1, 2014

The administration is also soliciting stories. White House deputy senior adviser David Simas sent an email to supporters asking for stories about coverage on Wednesday.

“Whether you’ve got new coverage today, know someone who does, or simply want to help get the word out about the importance of getting covered, we want to hear from you,” he said in the message.