Nearly 44,000 Alabamians have used the federal health care law to sign up for insurance through Alabama's federally operated insurance exchange.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 18,024 Alabamians signed up in January. The sign-ups began in October with 624, grew to 2,824 by the end of November and increased to 25,839 in December. They grew to 43,863 by the end of January.
The department says 59 percent of those who have signed up in Alabama are women. There was an increase in younger enrollees in January, but slightly more than half of those who have signed up are between 45 and 64.
The exchange offers plans at bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels. The department reports 73 percent of Alabamians have chosen the silver plan.