Rep. Pat Meehan (R-Pa.) has introduced a bill that would delay the launch of a federal data hub under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The hub — which would gather information from federal agencies and state governments — is set to go online Oct. 1, along with the insurance exchanges. The hub will be used to process applications for health insurance and determine eligibility for tax credits to cover the cost of premiums.
After co-chairing a joint Congressional hearing on the issue, Mr. Meehan concluded that integral government agencies weren't prepared for the deadline.
"The hub's scope will be vast, and the potential for theft or abuse of Americans' personal information will be unprecedented," Mr. Meehan said in a news release. "These agencies are not ready and cannot assure us Americans' sensitive information will be secure."
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