SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The deadline clock is ticking, if you want to have health insurance coverage for the coming year, through covered California.

Come 2020 a new state law will require people living in the state to be insured, or there will be a penalty when you file your state taxes.

That's why health reps say right now is a good time to apply. If you want to be insured come January 1, 2020, you need to apply by Sunday, Dec. 15.

The cutoff date for enrollment is Jan. 31.

James Scullary from Covered California tells Action News Now the state added new subsidies to help lower the cost of coverage.

That could apply for low and middle-income families.

Action News Now asked two men who live in Chico what they think of this new requirement from California to have health insurance.

"I think it's not an ideal solution because it doesn't fit everyone. When we mandate a blanket coverage for 40 million people some get smothered by that, not just covered but smothered," said Blain Wells, a Chico resident.

"I think it's a horrible thing to get old and sick and not get covered in some way," said Bill Unger, a Chico resident.

Scullary tells Action News Now in some cases, middle-income families who have an income of more than $100,000 could be paying more than $500 a month for health insurance.

People who enroll for Covered California cannot be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

For more information about Covered California, CLICK HERE.