Far Fewer NJ Residents Enrolled in Obamacare vs. New Yorkers

Far fewer New Jersey residents have enrolled in Obamacare insurance plans compared to New Yorkers, according to the latest figures released by the federal government.

New Jersey is relying on the federal government’s website, Healthcare.gov, which has been plagued by technical problems. By contrast, New York set up its own website to implement President Obama’s healthcare reforms, which has functioned more smoothly.

According to the Department of Human and Health Services, only 741 people in New Jersey have selected an insurance plan.That’s about one-twentieth of the numbers of New Yorkers. More than 16,400 New Yorkers have enrolled in plans.

Enrollees include those who have selected a particular company for coverage, but have not necessarily paid the first month's premium.

Nationwide, about 106,000 have chosen an insurance plan since the federal and state exchanges opened October 1. The number is only a fraction of the 500,000 initial sign-ups that the Obama administration had projected.