Beltway Confidential

An Obamacare mandate divided against itself cannot stand

By Philip Klein
Published December 20, 2013 5:00am ET
Add Washington Examiner on Google
An Obamacare mandate divided against itself cannot stand
In this Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, file photo, Rosemary Cabelo uses a computer at a public library to access the Affordable Health Care Act website in San Antonio. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius revealed in a letter to six Democratic senators that HHS would allow individuals who have had their plans cancelled to avoid the individual mandate penalty in 2014, or alternatively let them purchase a catastrophic plan through the health care exchanges. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) | Eric Gay

Just in time for Christmas, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced Thursday night yet another significant change to President Obama’s health care program.

In the latest move, Sebelius revealed in a letter to six Democratic senators that HHS would allow individuals who have had their plans cancelled to avoid the individual mandate penalty in 2014, or alternatively let them purchase a catastrophic plan through the health care exchanges. Catastrophic plans are otherwise limited to people younger than 30.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.

Tag:

Affordable Care Act Analysis Department of Health and Human Services Health Care Exchanges Kathleen Sebelius Philip Klein