Federal officials delayed the deadline to sign up for Jan. 1 coverage through the end of Christmas Eve, people familiar with the matter said.
The deadline was originally set for midnight on Dec. 23, but contractors managing the site changed configurations to allow users to sign up for the first wave of health-law coverage through Dec. 24, people familiar with the matter said.
“Anticipating high demand and the fact that consumers may be enrolling from multiple time zones, we have taken steps to make sure that those who select a plan through tomorrow will get coverage for Jan 1,” Julie Bataille, director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service’s Office of Communications, said in a statement.
The extension was needed in part because technical problems continue to limit the volume of users that can navigate the site at once, and officials worried people attempting to sign up Monday might not be able to do so. The site has had a record day, with more than 1 million visits by midmorning, federal officials said on Twitter.
Consumers seeking coverage should attempt to sign up today anyway, Ms. Bataille said. “If you are aiming to get coverage January 1, you should try to sign up today.”
News of the change was earlier reported by the Washington Post.
The change follows weeks of last-minute policy shifts for the administration. Last week, for instance, with only days before the enrollment deadline, the Obama administration said people whose plans were canceled would be exempted from a requirement that people buy coverage or pay a fee next year.
More at the WSJ
Idiots. We’re ruled by idiots.
It is law, he breached the law and should be impeached. He has no power to extend this issue. There is no where in the Constitution that allows for this egregious action.
Someone needs to explain exactly what a law actually is and who gets to make it. If it’s solely the president then we can fire 535 members of congress and save a bunch of money. Otherwise we have a tyrant at the helm making it up as he goes along.