HHS Extends Deadline for Health Exchange Blueprints

HHS has given states until Dec. 14 to submit detailed plans for establishing health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act. The extended deadline aims to help states obtain the technical support necessary to pursue their own exchanges. States that plan to partner with the federal government will have until Feb. 15 to submit a blueprint and declaration letter. The deadline extension will not affect the anticipated January 2014 launch of the exchanges.

• "For Hurried States, Obama Administration Extends Health Law Deadlines" (Kliff, "Wonkblog," Washington Post, 11/9).
• "U.S. Extends a Deadline for States on Coverage" (Pear, New York Times, 11/9).
• "HHS Extends Deadlines for Insurance Exchange Blueprints" (Zigmond, Modern Healthcare, 11/9).
• "States Given More Time To Work on Health Exchanges" (Morgan/Selyukh, Reuters, 11/9).