Health and Science

White House grants extension on health law sign-up

President Barack Obama delivers remarks about the error-plagued launch of the Affordable Care Act's online enrollment in the Rose Garden of the White House.
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The Obama administration says it's granting a six-week extension until March 31 for Americans to sign up for coverage next year and avoid new tax penalties under the president's health care overhaul law.

Monday's move had been expected since White House spokesman Jay Carney promised quick action last week to resolve a "disconnect" in the implementation of the law. Technical problems continue to trouble the website that's supposed to be the main enrollment vehicle for people who don't get health care at work.

(Read more: It's crisis time for Obamacare)

Under the new policy, people who sign up by the end of open enrollment season won't face a penalty.

Previously you had to sign up by the middle of February, so your coverage would take effect March 1.

The extension is for 2014 only.