Nearly half million apply for US health insurance despite flaws: officials

Credit: Reuters/Jonathan Bachman

The federal government forms for applying for health coverage are seen at a rally held by supporters of the Affordable Care Act, widely referred to as ''Obamacare'', outside the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson, Mississippi October 4, 2013.

Problems with the federal marketplace's entry portal serving 36 states, the website Healthcare.gov, have put a brake on the ability of consumers to shop for federally subsidized health coverage and drawn derision from Republicans, who oppose the law, popularly known as Obamacare.

'The website is unacceptable, and we are improving it, but the product is good and across the country people are getting access to affordable care starting January 1,' an administration official said.

'We are going to work intensely for the next six months to make sure we meet the demand.'

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Peter Cooney)