Deadline tonight for health care sign-up; new glitch fixed

Combined dispatches

COLUMBUS

Supporters of President Barack Obama’s health care law are making their final push today to enroll Ohioans in coverage ahead of key deadline.

Open enrollment to purchase health plans in the federally run insurance marketplace ends midnight tonight.

Health care advocates are holding sign-up events in churches, health agencies and other facilities as they anticipate a surge of interest from consumers because of the deadline.

Federal officials said earlier this week that 208,602 Ohio residents had selected health plans or were automatically re-enrolled for coverage this year.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that 84 percent of those signing up were eligible for advanced premium tax credits.

Meanwhile, a technical problem that had been interfering with sign-ups for President Barack Obama’s health care law has been fixed, officials say. Any consumer whose enrollment was hampered by the glitch will be provided with a special enrollment period.

The problem had been intermittent, meaning some people were able to complete their applications and submit them, Health and Human Service Department spokeswoman Katie Hill said.