Health and consumer advocates call on state leaders to fix what they call, a broken health care system.

AARP and the Illinois Public Interest Research Group highlighted problems surrounding the nations health care today, and launched local efforts aimed to turn things around. The group hopes to rally support in order to get Congress to pass the Health Insurance Consumer Protection Act. That's a plan to help reform the health industry and protect those that lose their jobs and can longer afford the expense. Since the recession began fourteen thousand Americans and 650 Illinoisans lost their health insurance everyday. Supporters of the protection act say this has to change, and had a message for Rockford Senator Dave Syverson.

"Senator Syverson very often, will ask the first question. What is it going to cost? Right now, I think the cost is too high not to be considered in his role," said Murriel Riedesel of the AARP.

The grassroots efforts include community forums and town hall being held across the state, on-line advocacy efforts and a new Health Care Hotline (188-664-9903). The hot line will help connect people directly with their State Senators- urging them to pass the Health Insurance Consumer Protection Act.