Health care signups: More older Americans so far

WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's an older, costlier crowd that's signing up for health insurance under President Barack Obama's law.

At least that's how it looks for now.

Administration officials released age and gender breakdowns on Monday for more than 2 million Americans who had enrolled for government-subsidized private insurance by the end of December.

Adults from 55-64 were 33 percent of the total. Medicare starts at 65.

Young adults from 18-34 were only 24 percent. Not a bad start, say independent experts, but it should be more like 40 percent to help control premiums.

Officials say they expect a surge of younger people toward the end of open enrollment March 31.

Women were 54 percent of those signing up.

Of the total so far, nearly four out of five have gotten financial help.