Governor Otter Wants a Delay in Health Exchange

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter wants the requirement for everybody to have insurance by 2014 delayed 12 months amid glitches in Internet health care exchanges across the nation, including Idaho. Idaho is currently relying on federal software to enroll people in coverage via its Your Health Idaho insurance exchange.

In a letter Wednesday, Otter told U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius that problems with the federal software are of such magnitude, many Idaho residents likely won't be able to complete enrollment before March 31, when they'll face a fine under President Obama's health care overhaul.

Otter insists another year will allow exchange officials here to complete Idaho's own enrollment system — one he hopes won't be plagued by the enormous troubles that have dogged 36 states using federal exchanges.