960K NYers sign for insurance under new health law

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

More than 960,000 New York residents have signed up for insurance under the state’s new health plan marketplace during its first enrollment period.

The state issued a report Wednesday detailing how many people enrolled in coverage through the marketplace, part of President Barack Obama’s health insurance overhaul. More than half of the individuals signed up for Medicaid coverage. Another 274,000 people and 65,000 children who weren’t eligible for Medicaid received a subsidized plan.

Eighty-one percent of those who enrolled were previously uninsured.

The report also says 3,100 small businesses signed up for plans during the enrollment period, which began Oct. 1 and ended April 15.

The numbers show New York is on track to meet its enrollment goal of 1.1 million individuals by the end of 2016.