44 community groups to tout insurance marketplace

Gov. Pat Quinn says $27 million in federal funds will be distributed to 44 community organizations that will help educate the public and push enrollment in the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace.

The marketplace is a requirement of the Affordable Care Act. It requires that nearly all Americans have health insurance beginning in 2014 or pay a penalty. Enrollment in the marketplace begins Oct. 1.

Quinn on Wednesday said the groups involved in enrolling the public are “proven organizations” that have joined a movement to get the word out about health insurance options.

Among the organizations making the push to register Illinois residents in the marketplace are American Indian Health Service of Chicago, the DuPage County Health Department, Family Guidance Centers in central Illinois and the Winnebago County Health Department.