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Help for Uninsured Residents of the Illinois QC

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UnityPoint Health - Trinity

Uninsured residents of the Illinois Quad Cities can get help signing up for health care. Today and tomorrow, local groups are holding events to kick off the second open enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act.

Eight organizations, including UnityPoint Health - Trinity, held an event at the Rock Island County Health Department this afternoon. 

Spokeswoman, Linaka Kain, says the goal is to help people decide what kind of health insurance they're eligible for. Counselors will also hand out enrollment kits, which include a fact sheet. 
A group called The Project of the Quad Cities will hold a kickoff tomorrow in Moline. Six counselors will be available, at no cost.

Director, Wendy Kelly, says many of the uninsured have little income and need help.

WKELLY1.mp3
"People have to have a starting point. They have to have some resource to go somewhere, so at least they can think about it, even if they don't make it to the event, we're going to be enrolling to them so that they can at least gather the information and make a decision."

The event will be held at the Project offices in Moline at 2316 5th Avenue, starting at 9 am.

Credit The Project of the Quad Cities

From tomorrow  through February 15th, people can schedule an appointment with a counselor at either The Project of the Quad Cities or UnityPoint Health - Trinity. 

After open enrollment ends, the penalty for not having health insurance will increase to $325 or 2 percent of annual adjusted income.

Renata Sago is WMFE's general assignment reporter and occasional Morning Edition anchor. She covers everything from major political campaigns and unemployment to civil rights legislation and the performing arts for WMFE and NPR.