HHS touts ObamaCare data hub

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Saturday touted ObamaCare’s data services hub as part of the new enrollment system that is working well.

The hub works by pulling information from federal agencies to verify ObamaCare applicants’ person details in real time. 

Someone filling out an application might input their income level, for example, and have it immediately cross-checked with the Internal Revenue Service through the data hub.

In a blog post, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius described the hub as a “model of efficiency and security” and a “21st century way to assess eligibility for coverage.”

“It’s important to understand that the hub is not a database,” Sebelius wrote, addressing criticism from ObamaCare opponents. “It doesn’t retain or store information.”

The Obama administration is eager to point out parts of the enrollment system that are functional as most of HealthCare.gov continues to limp along after nearly four weeks.

Republicans have criticized the data hub, saying that it could leave users’ personal information vulnerable to sophisticated hackers.