Democrats call for delay of individual mandate to buy health insurance
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As problems persist with a website that individuals can use to purchase coverage from federal health insurance exchanges, congressional Democrats, a bedrock of support for the health care reform law, are calling for delaying the law's requirement that individuals either purchase coverage or pay a fine.
Just as the administration earlier this year delayed until 2015 the mandate that employers offer coverage or be liable for a fine, Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga., said next year's individual mandate should also be delayed.
“This isn't about pointing fingers. This is about providing some relief to the folks we represent who are facing serious uncertainty because they are being forced to buy something that is not ready,” Rep. Barrow said Wednesday in remarks delivered on the floor of the House of Representatives.
In addition, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., also called for delaying the individual mandate.
“If an individual is unable to purchase health insurance due to technical problems with enrollment, they should not be penalized because of lack of coverage,” Sen. Shaheen wrote in a letter sent Tuesday to President Barack Obama.
The lawmakers' call to delay the individual mandate comes amid massive problems with the federal website, HealthCare.gov, that has made it difficult or impossible for individuals to enroll in plans offered through the federal exchanges.
