On the heels of another health care law postponement, relinquishing medium-sized company owners from having to supply employee benefits to their workers until 2016 at the earliest, the government has released the latest number totals on how many people have enrolled in a qualified health plan since October.
As of Feb. 1, close to 3.3 million people have signed up for a policy through the exchanges, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, with more than 1 million consumers enrolling in January alone, there was a 53 percent uptick in plan purchases compared to three months ago.
"These encouraging trends show that more Americans are enrolling every day, and finding quality, affordable coverage in the marketplace," said Kathleen Sebelius, HHS secretary and former governor of Kansas. "There is still plenty of time for you and your family to sign up in a private plan of your choice, so visit HealthCare.gov to learn more and sign up. Open enrollment ends March 31."
At just shy of 50 percent toward its goal, health officials hope to have 7 million people enrolled through the exchanges by the last day of March.
Of the more than the 3 million individuals who've signed up, more than half are female, or roughly 55 percent, according to HHS data. Also, nearly one-third are under the age of 34. In the first month of the year, slightly more than one in four enrollees were young adults.
While the individual mandate remains in place, the one for business owners was delayed once again. Thomas Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, indicated that this move was a short term fix to a long term problem.
"While we appreciate that this delay will give some businesses additional time to comply with the employer mandate, other critical steps must be taken to reduce the significant harm that this law is inflicting on businesses of all sizes," said Donohue.
