Very little of the media actually does research to back up Right Wing rants; they simply seek the attention and ratings along with them.

...By law, (click here) the first year’s open enrollment period for Part D ran until May 15, 2006.  DHHS reported numbers that included everyone who signed up by that date.  As the graph shows, enrollment grew at a steady pace across the six months of the first open enrollment period....

I found ONE reference on the net discussing the way health care enrollment actually happens in the USA. 

This is the rate of enrollment to Medicare Part D in 2006. The complaints are ridiculous. The federal website has problems and may be mishandled by those hired to build it, but, the enrollment rate has very little to do with the website, if anything the Right Wing rants have brought more attention to the enrollment period. 

American don't really pay attention to deadlines until it is upon them. That is the case with tax returns as well. The beginning of the year sees those entitled to refunds, while those owing taxes are more present at the end of the reporting period. The entire lack of interest in enrollment has very little to do with the federal website, there are plenty of other options to enroll outside the federal website. 

This FACT only goes to prove "The squeaky wheel gets the grease."