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When the public doesn’t come to Obamacare, then Obamacare goes right to the public. Consumers in many states can now buy health insurance at local storefronts — places that are popping up next door to hair salons, setting up in churches and surfacing in suburban malls, which right now may mean just around the corner from Santa. (Villacorta, 12/22)

With the deadline looming to re-enroll in California’s insurance exchange, Kuei Lin Liu faced a tough question: Do I want to go through this all over again? After a year of bureaucratic snags, data glitches and inexplicably dropped coverage, Liu wondered whether Covered California was worth the effort. “I’m so frustrated right now,” she said. “I spent the last year trying to work out this mess.” (Wang, 12/22)

Shoppers seeking health insurance for January through MNsure now have until noon on New Year’s Eve, but state officials don’t want people to wait. MNsure announced the change Friday, saying it’s driven by high consumer demand — not problems with the MNsure website. (Snowbeck, 12/19)

Despite the passage of a key open enrollment deadline on Dec. 15, there may still be a way for Oregonians to qualify for tax credits on health coverage that kicks in on Jan. 1. ... The key? Consumers must have 2014 Cover Oregon coverage in place now, [Portland insurance agent Andrew Eachon] said. And, importantly, they must fill out their Healthcare.gov exchange application carefully. (Budnick, 12/19)

The Massachusetts Health Connector is preparing for a signup surge as the state’s deadline for enrolling in 2015 insurance coverage approaches. The agency says more than 100,000 residents who must pay some or all of their premiums have registered online, but so far, only 18 percent have chosen a plan and paid. (12/19)