Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke celebrated reports that nearly 242,000 people have enrolled in comprehensive health insurance plans through New York State of Health, the marketplace established under the Affordable Care Act.

In addition, another 240,000 people have completed applications to enroll in health insurance plan.  New York State official expect to enroll about 1.1 million people in the health care marketplace by the end of 2016, substantially reducing the number of adults and children who are uninsured or underinsured.

“New York State has become a leader in the effort to expand access to high-quality health care for every man, woman, and child,” said Congresswoman Clarke. “Finally, every person will have an opportunity to have an annual visit with a primary care doctor, receive additional medical services as needed, and not have to worry about the risk of bankruptcy as a result of a medical emergency.”

The premiums for health insurance plans available through New York State of Health cost – on average – fifty-three percent less than the premiums for individual plans purchased last year.  Most of the people (about three-fourths) who enroll in these plans are also eligible for financial assistance.

To learn more about your choices for health insurance, visit New York State of Health either online at https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ or by calling at 1-855-355-5777.

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, 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, represents the neighborhoods of Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, Park Slope, Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.