(CNN) More people signed up for Obamacare coverage on the federal exchange during open enrollment this year -- the only increase under the Trump administration, which has long sought to eradicate the landmark health reform law. More than 8.2 million people selected plans for 2021 in the 36 states using healthcare.gov, according to preliminary data released Friday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Sign ups are slightly less than last year's 8.3 million figure, but that data included New Jersey and Pennsylvania, both of which shifted to their own marketplaces for 2021 coverage. "The significant growth this year is a reflection of the impact of COVID-19 on the American people and the important role the Affordable Care Act played in strengthening the safety net," said Josh Peck, a former Obama administration official and co-founder of Get America Covered. "This is the first open enrollment period following an economic contraction."

Source: CNN December 19, 2020 01:07 UTC