Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on a report from Gallup that the percentage of Americans without health insurance continues to decline as people enroll in plans available under the Affordable Care Act.

The uninsured rate for adults for the fourth quarter of 2014 was 12.9%, lower than 13.4% figure in the third quarter of 2014 and substantially less than the 17.1% figure in the fourth quarter of 2013.

“Before the Affordable Care Act became law, health care in American was in crisis. Today, the number of Americans with health insurance continues to increase, as more and more people are enrolling in insurance plans created under the law or in Medicaid, which several states have expanded with the  Affordable Care Act. American families now have better access to doctors and nurses, more affordable prescription medications, and coverage for medical services such as family planning that had previously been unavailable. Children are now provided with dental care – a provision I want to extend for adults. In addition, increases in the cost of health care, both for individuals and for our society as a whole, have been substantially reduced by the Affordable Care Act,” said Congresswoman Clarke. “Now we have an opportunity to continue our work in implementing the Affordable Care Act, to guarantee that every family has access to comprehensive and affordable health care. As more states expand Medicaid and coordinate with the federal government to assist families who want to enroll, the number of Americans with health insurance will continue to increase. I am dedicated to collaborating with organizations based in our community and with New York State of Health to expand access to the entire Ninth Congressional District of New York.”

If you are interested in obtaining health insurance, contact  New York State of Health at (855) 355-5777 or at https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/

U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, Ethics, and Homeland Security, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies. She represents many neighborhoods in central and southern Brooklyn, NY which include Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, parts of Park Slope and Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.