Illinois insurance subsidies in place for now

Officials say Illinois health insurance customers shouldn't feel any immediate effect of a federal appeals court panel's ruling as a confusing legal battle continues over President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

Contradictory rulings were issued Tuesday by two federal appeals court panels. One said the federal government couldn't offer financial assistance to people in states like Illinois that use the federally run insurance market. The other court ruled the opposite.

About 168,000 Illinois residents qualified for financial subsidies to help pay for their health insurance. The White House says policyholders will keep getting that help as the administration sorts out the legal implications.

Get Covered Illinois executive director Jennifer Koehler (KOH'-lehr) says the subsidies remain in effect. She says the state is monitoring the court decisions.