OVERNIGHT HEALTH: ObamaCare enrollment surpasses 7 million

More than 7 million people enrolled in ObamaCare during the first open enrollment period, President Obama announced Tuesday in the Rose Garden.



”Despite several lost weeks out of the gate because of problems with the website, 7.1 million Americans have now signed up for private insurance through these marketplaces,” the president said.

{mosads}The 7.1 million figure was more than the 7.041 million announced by press secretary Jay Carney just hours earlier.

The administration is allowing consumers who were unable to complete their applications to continue the process beyond Monday. Moreover, the federal government is still collecting data from states who run their own states. Elise Viebeck and Justin Sink at The Hill report.

Confidence: A White House spokesman on Tuesday said President Obama still had confidence in Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius following the tumultuous rollout of the president’s signature healthcare law. Shortly after announcing that the government had enrolled more than 7 million people in health insurance plans through ObamaCare, White House press secretary Jay Carney said Obama “has had and has confidence in his secretary of Health and Human Services.” Justin Sink at The Hill reports.

Thanks: Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius thanked her staff Tuesday for their “tireless efforts” and “unshakable commitment” in helping the administration reach its ObamaCare enrollment goal. Sebelius also acknowledged the intense focus that fell on her agency during the rocky rollout of the law. Jonathan Easley at The Hill reports.

Repeal: Rep. Paul Ryan’s final House budget includes a full repeal of ObamaCare. Ryan did not lay out the parameters of a replacement, or say what would happen to those who have already obtained coverage under the new healthcare law. But Ryan (R-Wis.), seen as a future GOP White House hopeful, said the law was a “costly mistake” that needed to be replaced. Jonathan Easley at The Hill reports.

State by State:

California gives further reprieve for ObamaCare sign-ups

Michigan rolls out Medicaid expansion

Another political casualty at Cover Oregon

Reading List:

It’s ok to feel good about ObamaCare again

ObamaCare not delivering what was promised

Conservatives fail to grapple with new ObamaCare reality

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