Geez, at least follow the law: New Health Fix Offers Subsidies for Insurance Policies Bought Outside Exchanges - The Obama administration’s decision came as a surprise because the Affordable Care Act is clear: Federal subsidies are available only to people who enroll in a “qualified health plan” through an exchange.

From The New York Times:

The Obama administration said Friday that it would allow some people to receive federal subsidies for health insurance purchased in the private market outside of health insurance exchanges. The sudden shift was the latest in a series of policy changes, extensions and clarifications by federal officials trying to help beneficiaries and minimize political damage to Democrats in this election year.

Federal officials said they had agreed to provide such assistance retroactively because technical problems had prevented consumers from using online exchanges

 

The Obama administration’s decision came as a surprise because the Affordable Care Act is clear: Federal subsidies are available only to people who enroll in a “qualified health plan” through an exchange.
 

But some of the online state exchanges have not been working well enough to determine if people are eligible for coverage, one of the basic functions of an exchange. The exchanges are competitive marketplaces where consumers are supposed to be able to shop for insurance, enroll and get financial assistance to help pay premiums