Two people familiar with the plan said the new enrollment period would not go into effect immediately. Instead, the White House wants to provide time for HHS to mount a marketing campaign, and for insurers to get ready for an influx of new customers.

Providers argued the policy is illegal and wouldn't lower drug prices or patients' out-of-pocket costs in comments on the interim final rule. Hospitals suggested CMS doesn't have the power to carry out such a large experiment.

Prime Healthcare agreed to shell out backpay and offer jobs to employees laid off during an organizing drive last summer.

The White House COVID-19 response team said there's more work needed to accelerate the country's vaccination effort despite being able to reach the administration's initial goal of 1 million vaccinations a day.