U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced today that Florida led the nation in Affordable Care Act enrollment among states using the federal marketplace, according to a report released today by the U.S. Health & Human Services Department.

“One million Floridians are breathing easier as affordable health insurance that was previously out of reach now provides financial security.  Despite political obstruction and scare tactics, Florida and Tampa Bay navigators and health care outreach partners successfully aided scores of our neighbors,” U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said. “These huge enrollment figures – the highest in the country for the federal marketplace – have exceeded all expectations. Affordable and quality health care were too important and the demand too great in our state.”

In Florida, 983,775 individuals selected a health care plan.

“While nearly 1 million Floridians now have access to health care, millions more have new consumer protections due to important reforms to existing insurance plans,” U.S. Rep. Castor added.

“However, one black mark remains for Florida due to the obstruction of Gov. Rick Scott and the GOP-led  Florida Legislature; nearly a million Floridians were left in the gap and $51 billion to expand Medicaid left on the table. These very high enrollment numbers should send a clear message to Florida’s governor and state leaders to expand Medicaid as our neighbors obviously deserve greater financial stability in their lives, and deserve to have their taxes back to work for them and not sent elsewhere.”.

More facts about ACA enrollment in Florida:

-91 percent received financial assistance
-Florida saw an increase of 223,056 in Medicaid/CHIP enrollment
-55 percent of Florida enrollees are females and 45 percent are males
-73 percent of enrollees purchased a Silver plan

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