The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has delayed the implementation of the health insurance exchange designed specifically for small businesses and their employees. Citing "operational challenges," HHS said the small business health options program won't be operational until at least 2015, Bloomberg reported. The delay is "a major letdown for small-business owners and their employees looking forward to robust, competitive exchanges in 2014," said John Arensmeyer, chief executive officer of advocacy group Small Business Majority. The change applies to the 33 states that deferred operation of exchanges to HHS. In those states, employees of small businesses will continue to receive insurance through their employer instead of shopping for coverage through an exchange, which was intended to increase competition among insurers. Article