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WASHINGTON — President Obama is making his case for the Affordable Health Care Act in Utah.

The Obama administration is working hard to send a message to cities like Salt Lake City.

In the latest numbers from a WalletHub analysis, 12.5 percent of Utahns are uninsured.

"Right now, we're signing up particularly those cities where there are more eligible people who've not yet signed up, and Salt Lake City is one of those places, said the president. "That's why I put together the Healthy Cities Challenge."

The challenge rewards the number one city in new sign-ups with a presidential visit.

Beyond the carrots of a presidential visit for sign-ups and the benefits of peace of mind from insurance, there is a stick: the deadline is this weekend and the fine if you don't sign up is nearly $700. In some cases, that's more than the insurance itself.

The president and his administration are trying to make the case to Utahns that signing up is in their best interest, despite the fact that many Utahns look at the Affordable Health Care Act, known as Obamacare, as a big federal overreach. Every member of Utah's congressional delegation has argued Obamacare will drive up costs and eliminate jobs.

The Obama administration is urging Utahns to get beyond the politics.

President Obama talks to KSL-TV's Deanie Wimmer at the White House on Wednesday, January 27, 2016. (KSL-TV)

"To the skiers and bicyclists and all those wonderful people who are out there physically fit and out there taking all sorts of chances, as well as those driving a car to work or kids to a soccer game, the reality is it only takes one accident," said Jerry Abramson, deputy assistant to the president.

"We're trying to get through the rhetoric and talk directly to the people across the country to encourage them to check it out for themselves," said White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett.

"What people will find is this is private insurance you get through the marketplace, but because they're part of a big pool, they get a better deal," said the president.

For Obama, a trip to Utah would be something he'd welcome if Salt Lake City wins the Healthy Cities Challenge.

"I always like an excuse to come to Salt Lake City."

Contributing: Xoel Cardenas

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