A recent survey asked online readers, “How did you use the health exchange under the Affordable Care Act?”

A wide majority – over 88 percent – said they had no use for the website.

Sixty-seven percent said, “I didn’t sign up, I already had insurance.” And another 21 percent said, “I didn’t sign up and chose to pay the penalty.”

Just 5 percent said, “I was already covered but used it to find new insurance.” And another 5 percent said, “I used it to become insured since I wasn’t covered before.”

More than 8 million Americans have signed up for health care through the healthcare.gov exchange website, which launched last fall and endured months of technical problems. The Obama administration has lauded the number of people signing up, but experts are trying to determine how many of those enlistees actually lacked insurance.  end mark

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How did you use the health exchange under the Affordable Care Act?

  • I didn't sign up and chose to pay the penalty: 21.3%

  • I didn't sign up, I already had insurance: 67.4%

  • I was already covered, but used it to find new insurance: 5.6%

  • I used it to become insured since I wasn't covered before: 5.6%