8.8M sign up for Obamacare coverage
About 200,000 more people signed up this year compared to last, despite uncertainty over continuation of Affordable Care Act.
Despite promises by Republicans and President-elect Donald Trump to repeal and replace Obamacare, 200,000 more people signed up for coverage under the program this year compared to last, according to data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Wednesday.
Since open enrollment began on Nov. 1, 8.8 million consumers have signed up through Healthcare.gov, compared to 8.6 million last year at this time, CMS said. This includes 2.2 million new consumers and 6.6 million returning customers.
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"With 8.8 million Americans signed up for coverage through HealthCare.gov, more than last year at this time, it is clear that Americans want and need this vital coverage," said outgoing Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. "As we enter the New Year, Americans who are still uninsured should sign up by January 15 to have coverage starting February 1."
The CMS report released Wednesday covers the two-week period from Dec. 18-31. New consumers totalled 285,362 and those renewing their coverage totalled 2.3 million.
The enrollment snapshot does not include plan selections from the 12 state-based marketplaces. CMS said those number would be included in a later report.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
