Claire Hughes is reporting for the Times Union enrollment at NY State of Health continues to exceed the number of signups last year, according to state officials. Nearly 244,000 New Yorkers have signed up for health insurance through the market to date, topping enrollment through the end of the 2017 season. The deadline for most New Yorkers to purchase health insurance through the online market is Jan. 31. The biggest spike since mid-December was for enrollment in the Essential Plan. The market provides a place for individuals who do not get health coverage through an employer to buy their own insurance and it was established four years ago to meet the requirements of the federal Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The federal online market, Healthcare.gov, reduced its annual enrollment period by half this season, ending it on Dec. 15. Read the full story in the Times Union.