Health law: 8 million chose new plan under law

The Obama administration says 8 million Americans chose a health plan on the new insurance markets in the first year of the historic health care overhaul.

More than 4.8 million more people gained coverage through Medicaid and children's insurance programs, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Numbers released today show a surge in enrollment since March 1 — doubling in some states including Texas, Georgia and Florida.

But the numbers were disappointing for one group. Hispanics account for more than 14 percent of those eligible for coverage on the new markets. But they represent less than 11 percent of enrollees who also volunteered their race or ethnicity.