The Obama administration is preparing to announce
yet another deadline extension, a source within the Health and Human Services Department signaled Thursday.
Due to rampant technology problems with the federal exchange site, HealthCare.gov, the administration is expected to extend the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) by another month.
The plan—which was presented as a temporary lifeline for the sickest Americans—was set to sunset Jan. 1, as insurers can no longer legally deny coverage to patients with health issues. However, website problems have kept those losing their coverage from signing up for new insurance in time for the end-of-the-year deadline.
The announcement is anticipated by some to be the first of many other deadline extensions as Dec. 23 looms closer and many Americans are still uninsured.
The PCIP has already run into serious financial problems, with Congress and President Obama capping funding at $5bn and freezing enrollment, prompting several cost shifts to patients.
