Washington extends deadline for insurance applications

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington residents who have started but not finished their applications for insurance through the state’s new health care exchange are getting a deadline extension. State officials announced Wednesday that anyone who begins an application before Dec. 23, will have until Jan. 1 to finish. Exchange spokesman Michael Marchand says they’ll get as much help as they need to make that happen. People who have started an application on the Washington Healthplanfinder website can expect emails and letters and phone calls offering them help to finish their applications. Marchand says the most important thing is to get started, or they will be ineligible for the deadline extension.