WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that 2.8 million consumers took advantage of a special six-month period to sign up for private health insurance coverage made more affordable by his COVID-19 relief law.

He called the number encouraging and urged Congress to help lower health care costs.

"That's 2.8 million families who will have more security, more breathing room, and more money in their pocket if an illness or accident hits home," Biden said. "Altogether, 12.2 million Americans are actively enrolled in coverage under the Affordable Care Act — an all-time high."

Biden...