KY lawmaker urges Affordable Care Act delay

One Kentucky lawmaker has asked President Barack Obama’s administration to postpone the implementation of the state health insurance exchanges due to concerns over the protection of people’s personal information.

According to Kentucky-based radio station KFGO, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-K.Y.) recently urged the administration to push back the Oct. 1 implementation of the state health exchanges. Because the exchanges are mostly online, McConnell stated there is a risk that people’s financial and personal information may not be entirely secure and the government should make steps to safeguard the data before elements of the Affordable Care Act are implemented.

USA Today reported healthcare professionals also cited concerns over healthcare reform’s implementation, saying it may increase administrative work and make it difficult for health systems to comply with governmental regulations.

McConnell’s call to halt healthcare reform’s implementation may not result in any action, however. If the state exchanges are not delayed, numerous public-sector workers may be faced with the decision of entering the programs or waiting to see the type of coverage they will receive under their employer. With many employers looking to cut costs without reducing worker benefits, many public employees may choose to go with employer-provided insurance.