Despite a troubled early rollout, 2.1 million Americans have signed up for private health insurance through the state and federal exchanges at the heart of the health care reform law, the White House said Tuesday.
Another 3.9 million Americans gained coverage from expansions of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, while 3 million more Americans under the age of 26 have maintained coverage under their parents’ health insurance, the administration said in a celebratory end-of-year conference call with reporters.
But the Department of Health and Human Services did not provide details on what percentage of those who signed up for coverage have actually paid their first premiums to make that coverage final. Officials also wouldn’t reveal the demographic breakdown of those who enrolled, a key component in the long-term viability of the law, which depends on younger, healthier Americans.
The figures also include some Americans who previously had health care coverage. The open enrollment period runs through the end of March.