Health Care Law Meets Goal of 7 Million Enrollees

WASHINGTON - More than 7 million people signed up for medical insurance through exchanges set up by President Obama's new health care program by Monday night's deadline, meeting the forecast originally set for the six-month enrollment period, the White House announced on Tuesday.

'It's fair to say we surpassed everyone's expectations, at least everyone in this room,' Jay Carney, the White House press secretary, said during a briefing.

The 7,041,000 signed up by midnight did not count those who enrolled on Monday in the 14 states that run their own insurance exchanges, nor those who may yet sign up under an extension for those who tried but were unable to complete applications in time.

Mr. Carney used the announcement to chide critics who doubted the ability the goal would be met, including Speaker John A. Boehner, whose House Republican majority has repeatedly tried to repeal the health care law.

'I hope you'll ask the speaker this - how will that effort to repeal the law ensure that Americans have access to the same quality health care that members of Congress have?' Mr. Carney asked.

Mr. Obama plans to give a progress report on the Affordable Care Act later on Tuesday afternoon. White House officials said that Mr. Obama would deliver his remarks from the Rose Garden of the White House at 4:15 p.m.

Signing up millions of consumers was a significant accomplishment, all the more remarkable given the horrible debut of HealthCare.gov last fall, federal officials said.

In its push to get people to sign up for coverage before the open enrollment period ended Monday night, the administration used social media, political campaign tactics and a small army of volunteers who assisted people in shopping malls, clinics, churches and social service agencies around the country.

People who go without health insurance in coming months may be subject to tax penalties. But the administration left the door open for people who had created online accounts or started applications for insurance and were unable to complete them because of technical problems they encountered on the federal website.

These consumers will have a limited but unspecified amount of extra time to finish their applications. People can request a 'special enrollment period' by calling the federal marketplace at 800-318-2596.

Callers on Tuesday were greeted with a message saying: 'Open enrollment for 2014 has ended, but don't worry. You may still be able to get covered for this year. We know, despite your best efforts, that sometimes there were delays caused by heavy traffic to HealthCare.gov or call centers or special situations that may have prevented you from finishing on time.

'If you've already called and left your telephone number for us to call you back, please know we are holding your place in line and will contact you soon to help you finish enrolling. You will still get coverage for 2014.'

The administration offered similar relief at the end of last year for people seeking coverage from January, and insurers said it took weeks to sort out the details.

Two states running their own exchanges, California and New York, appear to account for nearly one-fifth of the people who have signed up.