By: Casey Black and Samantha Smoak

The Department of Health and Human Services released the Enrollment Report from February 2014 on Wednesday. This is the fourth report since the program’s official start on Oct. 1, 2013.

After months of racing to push the Affordable Care Act through Congress and a controversial Supreme Court decision, Obamacare was officially available to the public on Oct. 1, 2013. Flaws in the marketplace website stirred up more controversy as US citizens in pursuance of government healthcare were unable to make it through each step, receive a quote, and complete the transaction. Changes have solved many of the cited issues, and overall enrollment rates have risen across the country.

The data recently released shows changes in enrollment rates in Tennessee and the surrounding states. According to the data, the rates of enrollment rose the most in the 55-64 age group. In Tennessee, enrollment for the 55-64 age bracket dropped from 35 percent to 33 percent. Alabama’s enrollment also dropped from 29 percent to 27 percent and Georgia’s dropped from 34 percent to 32 percent.

The rates for the 18 and younger age range stayed around the same amount with Tennessee at a three percent enrollment rate, Alabama at two percent and Georgia at four percent. The 18-25 age bracket reveals a slight a jump with Tennessee’s enrollment rate at nine percent, Alabama’s at ten percent and Georgia’s at eleven percent. Once entering the 26-34 and 35-44 age brackets, no dramatic change is seen in enrollment rates.

As of December 2013, the Obama administration cited a shortage of six million enrollees to their goal of seven million. With the aggressive action taken to improve the website, the data released for the month of February revealed an unexpected lack of change in enrollment rates.

January 2014 healthcare enrollment rates for Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia

February 2014 healthcare enrollment rates for Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama