The Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA), also known as ObamaCare, which has been largely controversial over the past six years, has provided healthcare to over 20 million people. The fight to get the bill passed was long and painful, it involved a Supreme Court battle that the Obama Administration won and the Act went into effect in 2010.

Despite the United States having a record low rate in uninsured people, President-elect Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE has vowed to repeal it within his first 100 days of office, yet has not provided strategy to do so or a replacement.

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President Obama, other democrats as well, and many Americans have requested that the components of ObamaCare that work be kept, and that the ACA be revised, not repealed. Americans are still signing up for coverage in 2017, with a record one day high enrollment number of 670,000.

The deadline to get coverage was extended to Jan. 31 and thousands more signed up and here is the reason why:

1. Everyone should have health insurance. In the unforeseen and unfortunate event, that you or a loved one should sustain a serious illness or injury, the cost of surgery or hospitalization could be astronomical.

A three day stay in the hospital could cost over 20,000 dollars and certain cancer treatments can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. This could be a significant financial burden on families and they are unable to pay, can be a significant burden on hospitals as well. Having insurance also helps to keep you healthy, as you are able to get free preventative care, vaccines and screenings.

2. The premiums have increased, but so did the government subsidies.

The premiums for coverage have increased up to 25 percent this year. However, federal subsidies also rise, which means that most people did not have to pay the full cost after the rate increased. People were still be able to get affordable health insurance.

3. Your coverage will continue for 2017, even if it's repealed.

Additionally, with no strategy for repeal or replacement, It will likely continue for 2018 as well.

If President elect Donald Trump manages to repeal the ACA, the repeal wouldn't take place until 2018, so coverage for 2017 would still be good. It would likely 2019 for any new plan to take effect, to allot time for transition to a new healthcare plan, should Trump and his administration come up with one.

4. People wanted to avoid the IRS penalty

The IRS penalty for not having insurance for 2016, is the greater of 2.5 percent of the income or 695 dollars per adult, with a maximum of 2085 dollars for families. This is a hefty fine and if you're going to pay that much in penalties, you might as well get insurance. It is important to note, the fee is assessed for people who can afford health insurance but choose not buy it. For those who cannot afford health insurance, there were subsidies provided to help get health insurance.

6. Despite all of the controversy, the ACA, has great components that have positively impacted our health care. The ACA has prevented health insurance companies from discriminating against women and charging them more for health insurance than men based off of gender. It has also blocked insurance companies from denying coverage to patients with pre-existing health conditions and there are no lifetime limits which

greatly help people with chronic conditions. In additions, children can stay on their parents health insurance up to age 26, which is particularly important for college and graduate students.

Additionally, the ACA allow preventative services such as mammograms and new baby care as well as yearly physicals to be no cost to patients.

Dr. Lisa Ashe serves as the medical director of Be Well Medical Group, a leading concierge medicine and wellness group currently serving the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia metro areas.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.