By Rich Daly

The primary author of the 2010 healthcare overhaul is worried that the health insurance exchanges planned for launch this year are headed for a “train wreck.”

Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the Finance Committee, said Tuesday that the lack of details provided to him and the amount of confusion he had heard from constituents indicate that the Obama administration will not launch health insurance exchanges in all 50 states on time. One of the key features of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the health insurance marketplaces are scheduled to begin enrolling millions of subscribers in private plans beginning Oct. 1.

“I see a huge train wreck coming,” Baucus said during HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ annual appearance to discuss President Barack Obama’s budget.

Baucus said small-business representatives have told him they know nothing about the exchanges, which are partially intended to provide coverage to many small businesses’ employees.