Washington, April 18 (IANS): US President Barack Obama announced Thursday that eight million people have signed up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and 35 percent of them are under the age of 35, surpassing projections about the programme's first year performance.

Speaking at a televised White House press conference, Obama said his signature healthcare

law, known as Obamacare, is now covering more people with affordable health insurance "than most would have predicted just a few months ago", Xinhua reported.

He said eight million Americans have purchased private insurance in the health insurance marketplaces under the Obamacare since their launch last October.

"Independent experts now estimate that millions of Americans who were uninsured have gained coverage this year, with millions more to come next year and the year after," Obama said, adding that the healthcare reform is bringing economic security to more Americans and adding competition to the individual market.

Obama noted that 35 percent of people who enrolled through the federal marketplace are under the age of 35, just short of the Obama Administration's goal of 38 percent.

According to a fact sheet released by the White House, 28 percent of the enrollees are between 18 and 34 years old.

The latest figures show a good sign that the Obamacare is able to attract young adults into the insurance pool.

The president also seized the opportunity to target Republicans who have long been opposing to the Obamacare, accusing them of their "endless, fruitless repeal effort" against the healthcare overhaul.

"The point is, the repeal debate is and should be over. The Affordable Care Act is working. I know the American people don't want us to spend the next two-and-a-half years fighting settled battles," Obama said.