Glenn Reynolds has a question about this:
The Obama administration on Thursday pushed back the deadline for consumers to make their first payment for coverage under the healthcare law.
Rather than a deadline of Dec. 23, insurers will be required to accept premium payments through Dec. 31 for people who are seeking coverage that starts on Jan. 1.
[snip]
In addition to the one-week extension for premium payments, the administration on Thursday formalized its announcement that consumers have until Dec. 23, instead of Dec. 15, to sign-up for healthcare coverage that goes into affect Jan. 1.
Continue reading This Is Not A Monarchy Watch: panicky HHS just making up new #obamacare ‘laws’ on the spot.