Today, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

Nationwide Enrollment for Health Care Coverage Surged in December

By Marilyn Tavenner, Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Posted December 31, 2013

Since the beginning of open enrollment, millions of Americans are gaining access to health coverage-many for the very first time-thanks to the Affordable Care Act.  The most recent data indicate that more than 2.1 million people have enrolled in a private health insurance plan through the Federal and State-based Marketplaces since October 1.

Both states and the federal government have seen a surge in enrollment in December.  Our HealthCare.gov enrollment nearly doubled in days before the January 1 coverage deadline compared to the first weeks of the month.  Nationwide, including state and federal marketplaces, December enrollment so far is nearly 6 times that of October and November combined.

We expect these numbers to continue to grow through the end of March when open enrollment ends.

Additionally, 3.9 million Americans learned they’re eligible for coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in October and November.  These numbers include new eligibility determinations and some Medicaid and CHIP renewals.

We are encouraged that over 6 million people have been enrolled in Marketplace or Medicaid coverage since October 1, and will work to give millions more Americans the peace of mind that comes with health security in the months ahead.

[emphasis added]

In a few hours having a preexisting medical condition can no longer be used to deny someone medical insurance. Canceling your policy because you got sick or because you made a minor error on your insurance application will be a thing of the past. Lifetime coverage can no longer be set to a fixed dollar amount. Eighty cents of every premium dollar must go toward your health care.

It’ll be interesting watching right wingnut republicans continue to try to repeal Obamacare.