"Today I was encouraged by the statistics released by the United States Census Bureau showing the tremendous progress our Administration has made in making public and private health insurance more accessible to more New Yorkers.  Our efforts to streamline the enrollment and re-certification process for public health insurance, conduct targeted outreach to uninsured families, and promote more affordable private health insurance options have helped New York City achieve the lowest rate of uninsured children - 5.7 percent - among the nation's ten largest cities, tying San Jose.  In addition, New York City as a whole has achieved one of the lowest rates of uninsured residents - 14.4 percent.  And since 2002, we've increased the number of New Yorkers enrolled in public health insurance by 60 percent.

"With our new web-based NYC Health Insurance Link tool, which we launched just yesterday, we are doing more than ever to make sure that New Yorkers can find health care plans to fit their own personal needs and budgets.  The Health Insurance Link lets individuals and small businesses compare their options across private insurers at www.nyc.gov.  Once again, New York City is leading the way when it comes to making information and assistance more readily available to those who need it.

"Of course, despite all of our efforts there are still far too many uninsured New Yorkers, and I'm hopeful that Washington's attempts to enact meaningful health reform and comprehensive coverage will bear fruit.  But today I want to extend my congratulations - and thanks - to all the people and organizations in New York City whose hard work was recognized and validated today."