Survey: Six In Ten Illinoisans Unaware Of Marketplace

A new survey shows six out of 10 Illinois adults don't know about the new Illinois health insurance marketplace launching Tuesday, or that it will offer eligible people financial help paying the cost of insurance.

The survey was released Monday by the nonpartisan Commonwealth Fund on the eve of the first day of enrollment for new insurance benefits under President Barack Obama's health care law.

The random sample telephone survey of 470 Illinoisans was conducted July 15 through Sept. 8.
 
The Illinois marketplace is called Get Covered Illinois. A $33 million ad campaign to promote it has been slow to start in Illinois with state officials choosing a gradual rollout focused on a mid-December deadline for people who want their insurance coverage to start Jan. 1.