By 2016, approximately 8.4 million Californians may be eligible to apply for the state’s insurance market exchange.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires that states create an insurance market “exchange” to give individuals an opportunity to comparatively shop for health insurance coverage. This market is extended to US citizens, legal immigrants and small businesses. It is estimated that approximately 8.4 million residents of California may be eligible to apply for this marketplace.[i]