More consumers signed up during open enrollment this year than last
Despite assurance by President-elect Donald Trump to repeal and replace Obamacare, 400,000 more consumers signed up for coverage this year.
In the final week of open enrollment, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported an increase of 400,000 plan selections through Healthcare.gov this year compared to a year ago.
Obamacare has two million new consumers and 4.3 million people returning to the marketplace for coverage, CMS said Wednesday. From Nov. 1, when open enrollment began, consumers made 6.3 million plan selections.
[Also: Open enrollment surges in California despite Obamacare uncertainty]
Open enrollment for Jan. 1, 2017 coverage ended December 19, but open enrollment for 2017 coverage after January 1 continues through Jan. 31.
President-elect Donald Trump has promised to make the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act a priority.
[Also: House v. Burwell court order one more way for Trump to end ACA]
Current Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, who is being replaced by Rep. Tom Price, R-Georgia, in the new administration, said the record 6.4 million consumers seeking plans proves marketplace coverage is vital.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
