Californians are signing up in higher numbers than they did last year for health plans sold on the state’s health insurance exchange, despite great uncertainty over the future of Obamacare.
More than 25,000 new consumers chose new Covered California plans in just two days earlier this week, exchange officials said Wednesday.
Because of the last-minute rush, Covered California officials have extended the enrollment deadline for coverage that begins Jan. 1. Consumers now have until midnight on Dec. 17 to choose plans. Coverage purchased after this Saturday’s deadline will start either on Feb. 1 or March 1.
Since open enrollment began Nov. 1, more than 153,000 new people have signed up for 2017 coverage, compared with 144,000 at this time last year, Covered California officials said. In addition, more than 1.2 million people with existing Covered California plans have renewed their coverage for next year.
President-elect Donald Trump and Republican leaders in Congress have promised to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the health reform law under which Covered California was established. The exchange, like others around the U.S., sells health coverage that comes with federal tax subsidies to help people of modest means pay the premiums.