Mandates and Uncertainty: Health Subcommittee to Examine Implementation of Health Law's State Exchanges and Medicaid Expansion THURSDAY

WASHINGTON, DC – For months, governors, state officials, and members of Congress have been clamoring for the Obama administration to provide basic information on how the health care law’s mandated health exchanges and Medicaid expansion will be implemented and regulated. After multiple written requests to the Obama administration went unanswered, the Health Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA), scheduled a public hearing to press the administration to finally respond to the numerous critical questions that remain unanswered nearly 1,000 days since enactment of the health care law.

“The administration has repeatedly ignored inquiries from governors, Congress, and state health officials seeking more information on the imminent Medicaid expansion and health exchange deadlines,” said Chairman Pitts. “Yesterday, after months of delay and just three days before our hearing with federal and state officials, the Obama administration finally disclosed a handful of details on the massive regulatory undertaking. Many more questions still remain, and we expect the administration to finally provide answers on Thursday.”

State of Uncertainty: By the Numbers

• Nearly 33 MONTHS since Obamacare was signed into law
• 2,700 PAGES of legislation to create Obamacare
• More than 32 MONTHS states have been waiting to receive federal guidance on key Obamacare issues related to the health insurance exchanges and market changes
• 5 MONTHS since governors first asked for clarification on key issues related to the Supreme Court’s decision that the president’s mandatory Medicaid expansion was unconstitutional
• At least 7 LETTERS sent to the administration from states and the Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans since July 1, 2012, asking for greater clarification and guidance for states
• MORE THAN 13,000 PAGES of federal Obamacare regulations issued, and still, key questions remain unanswered
• 20 DAYS left for states, employers and American taxpayers to provide feedback on regulations
• 3 DAYS left for states to make a final decision on a state-based exchange
• On Monday, just 3 DAYS before a major Energy and Commerce Committee hearing with administration officials and states, the Obama administration releases 17 PAGES of frequently asked questions and talking points to states facing the mandates and financial burden of Obamcare
• 13 MONTHS — JUST 385 DAYS—until Obamacare schedule for full implementation

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