For the second time in a week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has delayed the deadline requiring states to submit information for state-based exchanges. The most recent delay allows states to submit their letter of intent on December 14. In a letter sent yesterday to governors HHS says, "While submitting a letter of intent now will help us assist states in finalizing their application, a state may submit both a letter of intent and an application to operate its own Exchange by December 14." On December 9 HHS extended the blueprint application deadline from November 16 to December 14.   

At the time the letter was released yesterday, 8 states—Arizona, Idaho, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin—were undecided as to whether they would create their own exchange or leave the task up to the federal government, according to The Hill.