I am very excited about the reports coming in– thousands of people have signed up for health coverage already.  In Kentucky, a Southern state which has been one of the few to embrace health reform, more than 24,000 people had come to the website of Kentucky’s Healthcare Connection and 1,000 applications had been processed by 9:30 this morning.

Lots of computer glitches as expected, but in part because there is such an overwhelming demand for affordable health care options! And finally, there are new options to be had.

It’s opening day for the health insurance marketplaces and as baseball fans know – 181 days is a long season.   There’s been a lot of drama surrounding October 1 and the Affordable Care Act so let’s keep our eyes on the ball.

Here are the facts:

• October 1 is actually not an official opening day – it’s an arbitrary date picked by HHS to start the exchanges.  It’s not in the health reform law.  January 1^st and March 31^st are more important dates to focus upon as they are in the law.

• On January 1, 2014 coverage will begin for residents of states that accepted the federal funding to expand Medicaid coverage to more uninsured adults.  It is also the date exchange coverage will take effect for those who sign up by December 15.  Many other rules that go into effect that day will make insurance better for consumers.

• March 31, 2014 is important because it marks the end of open enrollment. After that date, it will not be possible to sign up for individual coverage for 2014 unless consumers qualify for a special enrollment period.

Coverage for millions of people begins on January 1 but it can begin even earlier for the vast majority of uninsured children who are already eligible for Medicaid and CHIP coverage but not yet enrolled.  When I look for the silver lining in all the hoopla surrounding the Affordable Care Act, I hope that all the media attention (even though it’s often distorted) has at least raised awareness for uninsured families.  Many of them appear to be calling and searching online for options that might be available.  The systems will get better as we move through the next few months, and a new chapter begins.