Officials emphasize consumers must document their requests for hardship exemptions.

A one-day drop in equities of around 1.5 percent is followed by about a 0.26 percent increase in hospital admissions on average over the next two days.

Democratic-led states have expanded Medicaid programs for the poor under the health law; most Republicans have refused. While the laws online exchanges draw more scrutiny, its Medicaid that may determine the health of millions of Americans.

Conversions from regular IRAs to Roth retirement accounts increased more than nine times in 2010, rising to $64.8 billion from $6.8 billion in 2009.