Sign Up if You Can

Millions of Americans have visited the new Obamacare health-insurance-exchange websites since they launched on Oct. 1. Early figures show that computer problems prevented some of those interested in buying coverage from getting it. Officials say they are fixing glitches, but they have to move quickly. “By November, the sites have to be able to handle major traffic,” says Joel Ario, former director of the exchange program at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Americans must sign up for coverage by Dec. 15 to have a plan that begins Jan. 1.

[The following text appears within 2 charts. Please see hardcopy or PDF for actual charts.]

MARYLAND

OCT. 1–6

Unique visitors to state’s exchange website

174,023

Applications submitted

566

Enrollments

326

KENTUCKY

OCT. 1–7

Unique visitors to state’s exchange website

174,442

Applications submitted

14,755

Enrollments

6,946

(Enrollment data include private health plans and Medicaid)