The Hill website reports that repealing grants to help states set up health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act could save $14 billion over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office – but no grants would also likely mean that fewer people would enroll in the exchanges.

The Republican-led House Energy and Commerce Committee voted last month to repeal the planning grants for the exchanges, which would serve as a one-stop shop for individuals and small businesses to buy insurance. States would be encouraged to run their own exchanges, but can use a federally-operated exchange if they choose not to do so.

Eliminating the $1.9 billion of the grant earmarked toward the planning of state exchanges could lead to delays in their establishment, threatening the proposed 2014 startup date. Of course, the entire House body still has to approve the repeal measure (probable), as must the Senate (much less probable).