Enrollment

The Obama administration is trying to lower expectations for strong initial enrollments under the president's historic expansion of health coverage for the medically uninsured.

Stressing that improvements are happening daily, the senior Obama official closest to the administration's malfunctioning health care website apologized Tuesday for problems that have kept Americans from successfully signing up for coverage.

Misstating the health care law she is responsible for administering, Kathleen Sebelius has asserted that the law required health insurance sign-ups to start Oct. 1, whether the system was ready or not. In fact, the decision when to launch the sign-up website was hers.

Medicare Chief Marilyn Tavenner will be questioned Tuesday by the House Ways and Means Committee not only on what went wrong with HealthCare.gov, but also whether lawmakers can trust Obama administration promises to have things running efficiently by the end of November.

What is it they say about being careful what you wish for?

The Obama administration says its granting a six-week extension until March 31 for Americans to sign up for coverage next year and avoid new tax penalties under PPACA.