News Local/State

In Illinois, Smooth Start For Insurance Sign-Ups

 

More than 70 Illinois events in libraries, hospitals and churches are being held to mark the launch of insurance sign-up season under the nation's health care overhaul.

Gov. Pat Quinn stopped by a wellness fair on Chicago's south side Saturday, the opening day of a three-month enrollment period for 2015 insurance coverage.

He says the goal is "to give everyone across Illinois access'' to health care.

People involved say it's a more streamlined process this year and that the once-troubled HealthCare.gov website is working well.
 
In East St. Louis, Patrice Howard says people are "trickling in'' and enrollment counselors are excited to get them signed up.

The Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation has a goal of enrolling 8,300 people for health insurance in Madison and St. Clair counties.