Glitches Aside, White House Predicted 500K Obamacare Signups In October

President Barack Obama pauses while speaking about the Affordable Care Act, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013, at Prince George's Community College in Largo, Md. The president is promoting the benefits of his health care law ... President Barack Obama pauses while speaking about the Affordable Care Act, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013, at Prince George's Community College in Largo, Md. The president is promoting the benefits of his health care law before new insurance exchanges open for business next week. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) MORE LESS
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Administration officials projected nearly 500,000 people would sign up just this month in the new health insurance markets. That was before the markets opened to a cascade of computer problems.

If the glitches persist and frustrated consumers give up trying, that initial goal could slip out of reach.

An internal memo from the Health and Human Services Department lists monthly enrollment targets for 50 states and Washington, D.C., through March 31. Dated Sept. 5, the memo was obtained by The Associated Press.

Officials estimated that 494,620 people would sign up for health insurance by Oct. 31. The memo said that target reflects a modest start for the markets.

With 15 days to go this month, the federal government has yet to release enrollment numbers for the health care overhaul.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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