“Open enrollment ends in a couple days. #GetCovered for 2017!” the federal enrollment website tweeted. | AP Photo Reversing course, Trump administration will continue Obamacare outreach

The Trump administration has reversed plans to scrap all Obamacare outreach in the finals days of the law's enrollment period, a day after the move sparked outcry from the law's supporters and health insurers.

HHS officials on Friday said automatic phone calls and other online and digital outreach — including Twitter messages and emails — would continue through the Jan. 31 deadline for obtaining coverage.


Officials also said they were unable to pull back some HealthCare.gov radio and TV advertising that had been purchased by the Obama administration. HHS was able to cancel about $4 million to $5 million in ads, a spokesman said.

"Once an assessment was made, we pulled back the most expensive and least efficient part of this massive ad campaign which was set to run over the weekend," said an HHS spokesman. "Those costs savings will be returned to the U.S. Treasury.”

The Trump administration’s decision on Thursday to halt all HealthCare.gov advertising and outreach enraged the law’s supporters, who say ads and other tools — such as reminder emails — have been crucial in motivating younger, healthier people who frequently wait until the last minute to enroll in coverage.

“Let’s be clear: President Trump and Republicans are creating Trumpcare by sabotage — and they are going to have to answer to every family who loses coverage, faces more uncertainty, or has to pay more in health care costs as a result," Democratic Sen. Patty Murray said in a statement earlier on Friday.

Obamacare supporters have taken to Twitter and other social media platforms to encourage enrollment,and insurers also expressed alarm that the Thursday decision could result in higher prices and more unstable markets.

"At a time when the individual market faces challenges, we need as many people as possible to participate -- so that costs go down for everyone," said Kristine Grow, spokeswoman for America's Health Insurance Plans.

The Twitter account for the Obamacare enrollment website on Friday afternoon encouraged people to sign up. HealthCare.gov also sent emails with an “urgent” reminder for people who had started but not yet finished their applications for coverage.

Boosting enrollment among younger and healthier individuals was a major priority for Obamacare supporters and insurers to help cover health care costs for older and sicker customers. They also tend to sign up in larger numbers toward the end of the open enrollment period.

“Potentially not getting those final folks enrolled will also weaken the risk pool, and that means greater costs for everyone,” said Ceci Connolly, CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans.

The Obama administration's HHS had estimated that 13.8 million people nationwide would sign up for Obamacare plans during the three-month open enrollment window. As of Dec. 24, national enrollment figures stood at 11.5 million people.