I think it was very smart to set an enrollment date of March 31 to be sure Americans were paying attention.

I already enrolled, so this doesn't effect me, but, it isn't easy to move a nation to pay attention to important issues that effect their lives. Heck, there can be hurricane warning to evacuate and there is always that percentage that think they can beat the danger.

...Under the move (click here) planned by the administration, some people will be given a special enrollment period, beyond the deadline, if they can show they were not able to enroll because of an error by the federal exchange or by the Department of Health and Human Services. Federal officials allowed a special enrollment period, on a case-by-case basis, for some people who were unable to meet the Dec. 24, 2013, enrollment deadline for coverage starting Jan. 1 of this year....

This is a big decision. Sometimes it is a difficult decision to make. People put it off to the last minute. By making the final enrollment date at March 31, it allowed the administration to extend it in time for April 15th. I think it was very smart to allow the extension to bring on as many Americans as possible to health care. 

...Taxpayers are more willing and able to sign up as they receive tax refunds, Mr. Haile said. Indeed, he said, “our projections indicate that Health and Human Services can meet its target of six million enrollees on the marketplaces only if it allows individuals to continue to sign up through April 15.”...