US

Poll: Three-fourths think uneven Obamacare enrollment extensions unfair

Daily Caller News Foundation logo
Font Size:

Most Americans don’t agree with extending Obamacare enrollment deadlines differently state-by-state, according to a survey by the health care research firm Health Pocket.

Obamacare’s roll-out has been characterized by unequal, piecemeal applications of different regulations to different people, interest groups and even states. Though Monday should have been the enrollment deadline for each and every state — almost randomized deadline extensions made it the final sign-up day for just most of the states.

But Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of this process. HealthPocket’s survey of adults nationwide found that 76 percent of Americans believe its unfair for the enrollment deadline to be extended for some states, but not for all.

Customers in the 34 states served by the federal exchange are free to complete the enrollment process until mid-April. Anyone who checks a blue box on HealthCare.gov who saying they began their enrollment application but were unable to complete it by March 31, will be given “a blanket enrollment extension” due to the federal government’s decision against electronically verifying the application creation date.

Washington, D.C.’s exchange has similarly extended enrollment until April 15.

The states which received special extensions of the enrollment period were typically the lowest-performing states technologically. Several sought out federal approval to delay their deadline after extensive problems getting their exchanges to function.

Massachusetts’ insurance exchange will operate until June 30, but only for residents enrolled in a temporary state-run health plan due to the exchange’s earlier delays. Nevada residents will have another sixty days to complete enrollment if they’ve attempted to sign up. Oregon residents will be allowed another thirty days to enroll. (RELATED: Massachusetts Obamacare exchange granted federal extension as director gently weeps; Oregon Obamacare exchange gets month-long enrollment delay)

The survey result could suggest broader discontent with Obamacare’s roll-out, which has been characterized by delays, waivers and exemptions.

Follow Sarah on Twitter

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.