Why Can't HHS be Honest with U.S. Congress?

Floor Speech

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, while the President was again defending his health care law, the Department of Health and Human Services announced even more delays. This train wreck of a health care law is quickly derailing, but the President continues to provide delays and exemptions for everyone except ordinary Americans.

After the President and the administration promised time and time again that the exchanges would be ready and online October 1, several States have said consumers are actually just going to have to wait. Maybe you can send in a paper application if you're anxious.

Last week, on September 19, I asked the director of the agency charged with implementing the exchanges: Will the enrollment process be ready October 1 of this year? I actually posed that as a yes or no question. His answer: Consumers will be able to go online, they will be able to get a determination of what tax subsidies they are eligible for, they will be able to look at the plans that are available where they live, they will be able to see the premium net of subsidy that they would have to pay, and they will be able to choose a plan and get enrolled. Hardly a yes or no answer to a yes or no question. But nevertheless, yesterday's actions by HHS bespeak what really is the case. His answer should have been: No, they will not be ready.

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