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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2017
Media Contact: Jill Schacter jschacter@cityofevanston.org
Phone:  847/448-8628

Library Offers Help with Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment

Open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act is November 1 through December 15, 2017. This is a shorter enrollment period than previous years, so it’s important to act quickly.The Evanston Public Library offers the services of an Affordable Care Act Navigator, Laura Jones Macknin, who can help individuals make sense of the complicated health insurance landscape. She also advises on health insurance enrollment through the marketplace and through Medicaid.

Ms. Macknin is a state certified health insurance navigator, one of the few such sources of assistance on the North Shore. Her hours at the Main Library, Newberry Room, 1703 Orrington in Evanston, are Fridays, 1:00 pm through 4:00 pm. She also is available Friday mornings from 10:00 am through 12:00 pm at St. Francis Hospital, 355 Ridge Ave. in Evanston, and at various locations in Chicago. For an appointment or to check her availability contact her at 312/898-8864 or at lauraj@patientinnovationcenter.org

Those seeking help with health insurance enrollment should bring a driver’s license or state ID, income information such as W-2s, tax forms, or pay stubs, and social security numbers for anyone in the household who needs coverage. There is no charge for this service.

Laura Jones Macknin comes to EPL through the Patient Innovation Center, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is "to align community organizations with appropriate resources to serve under-represented populations in healthcare and health education.” PIC provides managed care support, academic resources, and funding opportunities for organizations “to better stimulate community involvement in health administration." She's been serving patrons at the Evanston Public Library for the past year, and is available year round.

Another local source for health insurance enrollment information is Asian Human Services in Niles (8565 W. Dempster). All are welcome regardless of status, insurance, or income—they serve everyone on a sliding scale. They offer help in more than 32 different languages. While walk-ins are welcome, those requiring help can call to schedule an appointment at 800/597-5077.

About the Evanston Public Library

For more than 140 years, the Library has provided educational, culturally-rich resources for all residents, helped children prepare for school through the joys of reading and learning, celebrated Evanston’s diversity, and helped residents find information they seek. The Library is more than a building of books; it is a place to meet, connect, learn and explore. To learn more, visit www.epl.org.