ADAM BEAM
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO (AP) — More than 130,000 people have purchased health insurance through California's state-run marketplace for the first time, a 16% increase from last year now that the state is offering more money to help people pay their monthly premiums and will begin taxing people next year who refuse to buy insurance.
Covered California released the numbers on Thursday ahead of a Sunday deadline for people to purchase insurance and have their plans effective Jan. 1. Plans purchased after Sunday would take effect Feb. 1. California's open enrollment period closes Jan. 31.
In addition to the new enrollments, more than 1.13 million people in California have renewed their plans for next year.
Former President Barack Obama's health care law created marketplace
