Rubio to Propose Delay in Obamacare Mandate

Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio said Tuesday he'll propose a challenge to the new healthcare law's individual mandate with legislation that would delay it until the government's glitch-plagued web portal gets up to speed.

"I will offer legislation to delay the individual mandate to buy insurance until the GAO certifies that the Obamacare exchange website has been fixed and fully functional for at least six months," he said in a prepared statement released to media.

Editor's Note: 22 Hidden Taxes and Fees Set to Hit You With Obamacare. Read the Guide to Protect Yourself.

"Thereafter, it exempts people from paying the mandate fines if they can prove that they tried to sign up but could not because of technical or customer service issues."

The Florida Republican says people should not be punished for not buying the insurance when major technical problems have plagued the online sign-up process. Uninsured Americans have until about mid-February to sign up for coverage if they are to meet the law's requirement that they be insured by the end of March. If they don't, they will face a penalty.

Rubio said on the "CBS This Morning" show Tuesday that he still believes the health care law itself should be repealed.

President Barack Obama on Monday acknowledged technical problems that he described as "kinks in the system."

HealthCare.gov has come under severe criticism for its disastrous, problem-plagued rollout, and Obama conceded that massive problems have marred the rollout of his signature health care law.

Rubio said that’s not enough.

"It is not fair that next year Americans will be punished for not buying Obamacare when the website they are supposed to buy it on doesn't work," he said.

"I believe this entire law should, and will, eventually be repealed and replaced. But until that happens, I will continue looking for ways to protect Americans from the disaster that is Obamacare."

Rubio said he'd introduce the measure when the Senate reconvenes next week.

Editor's Note: 22 Hidden Taxes and Fees Set to Hit You With Obamacare. Read the Guide to Protect Yourself.