Although they failed to push through a spending resolution defunding the law, Republican lawmakers aren't done scrutinizing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee announced plans to hold a hearing Oct. 24 concerning the healthcare reform law's "troubled rollout," according to a news release. Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) said the technical problems the health insurance exchanges have encountered since they opened for enrollment earlier this month indicate that either the Obama administration wasn't ready for the launch or is "not up to the job."
Rep. Upton called the rollout a "complete mess, beyond the worst-case scenario." Numerous glitches have cropped up since the exchanges opened for enrollment earlier this month, with people not being able to create accounts on HealthCare.gov, dysfunctional drop down tools and the federal exchange site crashing due to high traffic have surfaced since the exchanges launched. Additionally, states with federally facilitated marketplaces won't receive Medicaid applications processed by the exchange until November.
Republican leaders have already sent letters questioning HHS and contractors helping with the healthcare reform law's implementation about the technical problems, which President Obama has classified as speed bumps any new product rollout is bound to encounter.
The committee asked HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to testify at the hearing, but HHS has informed the committee she will be unable to attend, according to the release.
More Articles on PPACA Implementation:
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HHS Acknowledges Design Flaws in Healthcare.gov