The White House has decided to delay the launch of its online health insurance exchange for small businesses by one year, according to a report from The Hill.
Companies with fewer than 50 employees that previously were set to begin purchasing coverage through the Small Business Health Options Program in November will have to get insurance through an agent or broker instead, according to the report.
Last week, CMS spokeswoman Julie Bataille told reporters on a conference call the delay resulted from federal officials' focus on getting the federal exchange for individuals, administered through HealthCare.gov, running smoothly by Nov. 30, according to the report.
Ms. Bataille told reporters the decision would cause minimal disruption because many small businesses are already familiar with the process of getting coverage through agents and brokers. However, some Republican lawmakers such as House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) criticized the delay, holding it up as evidence that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will fail, according to the report.
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