Thousands Without Health Insurance in the Suburbs

Thousands of uninsured suburban residents will soon be eligible to sign up for health benefits under the Affordable Care Act when it becomes available on Oct. 1, according to a Daily Herald article. 

New census data shows 16.3 percent of Cook County residents are uninsured compared to 9 percent of McHenry County, 11 percent of Lake County residents, 9.8 percent of DuPage County residents and 9 percent of Will County residents. 

Comparably speaking, the Aurora area has one of the highest percentage of uninsured in the state with 23.3 percent, according to the Daily Herald.  Statewide, 12.8 percent of residents are without health insurance, according to 2012 census data. 

The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, requires uninsured residents to get health insurance or pay a penalty, according to the Daily Herald.