State health insurance regulators have been hoping for the best when it comes to 2018 exchange enrollment, but are now bracing for the worst-case scenario that the fate of key health insurance subsidies will remain in limbo past key deadlines next month. "We have a way to protect consumers, but it is complicated and will cause unnecessary confusion and anxiety," said Diana Dooley, chair of Covered California, the state's Obamacare exchange, in a statement Friday.