With progress in national health care reform starting to take real form, the reality of making the new system work is beginning to set in. There are a lot of important choices to be made for anybody among the 1 million state residents and estimated 70,000 people in Seattle not already covered by insurance. The Washington Healthplanfinder appears to be moving past its buggy start. Now you need to learn how to put it to work. Here is information posted to CHS from King County Health about a nearby opportunity for help sorting it all out:

One of the best opportunities for anyone on the Hill or in the Central Area is this Saturday, October 5, from 2-5pm at Garfield Community Center.  A team of In-Person Assisters will be joined by representatives from insurance plans, all under one roof.

If you have questions about how this system works, or want help understanding the insurance choices in the new online marketplace, assisters can walk you through the details – and even complete your enrollment all at once. Translators will be on hand, too, for anyone who speaks Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese or Chinese.

This is a good time to get personal attention, as people are still hearing about the new system.  For anyone who signs up before December 23, medical coverage begins on January 1, 2014.