( A-P / KLZA)-- New reports indicate more people are signing up for health insurance plans for 2015 using the marketplace set up under the federal health care law.
The new enrollment period began November 15 and will continue through February 15. Penalties for not buying insurance will rise to two percent of a household’s income or $325 this year, unless the household is exempted because of financial hardship or some other reason.
In Nebraska more than 32,000 residents have selected health insurance plans for 2015 using the marketplace. 52 percent of the consumers were new to the marketplace, while 48 percent were re-enrolling.
In Kansas 39,023 had signed up for health care coverage through the marketplace. About 57,000 Kansas residents were enrolled in the exchange in Kansas last year. Kansas officials hope more sign up this year but say its is too early to know if that goal will be met.
More than 102,000 Missouri residents have signed up through the federal website through the first month of enrollment. About half of those signed up are newly enrolled.
In 2014 about 150,000 Missouri residents got health insurance through the website.
© Associated Press
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