Associated Press Published

8,000 West Virginians Enroll in Health Insurance

Barrack Obama speaks

Federal officials say 8,000 West Virginians have chosen health plans in the insurance marketplace created by President Barack Obama’s health care law since an open enrollment period began on Nov. 1.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the 2016 enrollment figures Wednesday.

The enrollment period runs through Jan. 31. Individuals needing coverage starting on Jan. 1 must sign up by a Dec. 15 deadline.

At the end of the 2015 enrollment period, more than 33,000 West Virginians had selected a plan on the exchange.

West Virginia is one of 38 states that use the federal health insurance marketplace.