Health Care Exchange Signups Exceeding Last Year

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California's health insurance exchange has exceeded last year's signups during the first month of open enrollment.

Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee said Wednesday that more people chose a plan in the first month this year than during the first two months of open enrollment last year.

More than 144,000 have selected plans so far on the marketplace, which was created as part of President Barack Obama's health care reform law.

Lee says the exchange is on pace to beat its goal of enrolling 1.7 million people for private health coverage next year, including re-enrolling the 1.1 million people who signed up the first season.

The exchange extended its deadline through Sunday for consumers to get new insurance or change plans in time for coverage to take effect Jan. 1.