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Thousands of more friendly and better-trained call-center employees will be working starting Monday to deal with the expected late onslaught of people signing up before the Obamacare open enrollment ends Feb. 15. A 40 percent increase, to a 14,000-person workforce, is expected to help with wait times, which averaged about 2 1/2 minutes the last week of January, but are likely to get longer as the deadline nears. People who aren't covered by employer-provided insurance and don't sign up by the deadline won't be eligible for insurance this year and will face increasing penalties at tax time. (O'Donnell, 2/8)

Many people expected this year’s three-month enrollment period to be more challenging than last year’s six-month sign-up blitz, which included enrollment fairs across the state, widespread publicity about the health law’s rollout and millions of dollars in federal funds that helped pay more than 200 people from community organizations to conduct outreach. This enrollment period came with the added complication of trying to renew existing customers while appealing to those who were still uninsured – and with no federal dollars for outreach. (Levin Becker, 2/9)

Norma and Rodolfo Santaolalla have always worked but have never had health insurance. When the Arlington, Va., couple tried to apply online for coverage under the health care law, it was just too confusing. "I didn’t understand about the deductibles and how to choose a plan. It’s difficult. It’s the first time we’ve done that," said Norma, 46, who cleans houses for a living. Rodolfo, 47, is a handyman. "That’s why we came here, to ask them to help us.” (Carey, 2/9)

It's not unusual for churches, community centers, even shopping malls to sponsor Affordable Care Act enrollment events. But an ACA sign-up at 11 a.m. at a Fishtown hipster bar known for its indie rock shows? (Calandra, 2/8)

Health advocates across the state have begun the final push to enroll citizens in insurance plans under health care reform, enticing them with a star Orioles player, extended hours and late-night breakfast at Denny's. The Feb. 15 deadline to enroll is less than a week away, but those involved report that this year has been much smoother than last year, when technical problems plagued the state exchange, the website where people who do not get insurance through an employer or Medicare shop for plans. (McDaniels, 2/8)

Whereas 18 to 34 year olds accounted for 24.3 percent of MNsure enrollees last year, they accounted by late January for only 21.3 percent of the private insurance total during the current open enrollment period. MNsure officials say they aren’t worried. Younger adults were late to buying coverage last year, too, so the exchange expects a last-minute surge as the Feb. 15 deadline for people to enroll in private plans through MNsure draws near. (Snowbeck, 2/8)

Connect for Health Colorado's leaders say they need an additional $2.8 million to operate the health insurance exchange's call centers, as problems with the online enrollment system drive up call volume. The requested budget for the two call center sites is now $17.7 million. Board members deferred a decision on the request Thursday. (Draper, 2/6)