GOP frets fallout from Obamacare website issues

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Congressional Republicans Saturday predicted further technical glitches and annoyances from President Obama's health insurance website in the months to come.

In the weekly GOP media address, Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., said enrollees could find themselves out on a limb even after signing up for coverage during the rocky rollout of the so-called Obamacare website.

"Will enrollment glitches become provider payment glitches? Will patients show up at their doctor's office or hospital only to be told they aren't in the system?" said Upton, chairman of the House Energy Commerce Committee. "And is the personal information Americans provide as part of the enrollment process safe from cyber hackers and identity theft."

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius was scheduled to testify in front of Upton's committee about the website issues Wednesday, The Hill said. The committee this week heard from the contractors who created the site, which links consumers to state insurance exchanges.

Upton concluded the website problems were another reason to push the deadline for individuals to sign up for insurance back further. "The business mandate was delayed, and it's only fair that individuals and families receive the same treatment," he said.