Gus Bilirakis: Obamacare was 'Never Ready for Prime Time'

From his perch on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committees Health Subcommittee, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., turned up the heat on President Barack Obamas federal health-care law on Friday.

Bilirakis supported the Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act which includes elements from his One Hour Notification Act ensuring the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notifies Americans when their security has been compromised through the health-care website.

Contrary to the very promises Obamacare was sold on, my constituents have lost their health care coverage, have seen their premiums rise, and were forced to choose new doctors under the law, said Bilirakis on Friday. Now, theyre faced with concerns regarding their personal information and whether it is compromised -- all because the presidents signature law was never ready for prime time.

Millions of Americans were forced to sign up for the exchanges in order to avoid individual mandate fines, Bilirakis added. Now, each of these individuals, including myself, are potential victims of identity theft. The Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act will bring accountability and transparency to the administration and the health care exchanges by requiring HHS to notify these hard-working Americans when their personally identifiable information may have been compromised.