On Tuesday the Federally Facilitated Marketplaces (FFM) in 34 states and 17 state specific sites (incl. Washington, DC) began operations. While everyone expected glitches, the FFM sites seemed to have many more problems. Of the 17 state operated sites Kentucky had a great start accepting about 10,000 apps thru Thursday. Minnesota and Oregon made news by having some trouble.
Here in Wisconsin, the Marketplace has been down more than up which seems on par with the other FFMs. IT systems like this that integrate information from SSA, the IRS, INS, and others is complex to say the least. Of course the feds did not expect to operate 34 of these, they more likely expected 10-15. And also many of these 34 Governors. most are Republican, are reluctant to help and have a Democratic President's signature legislation achieve an easy launch.
Then I saw an op-ed by U.S. Sen. Rockefeller for LifeHealth Pro at www.lifehealthpro.com/2013/10/02. He wrote that he believes the health law will work. Obviously he voted for it and wants it to succeed but he also said, "(Republicans) are fighting this tooth and nail to prevent families from obtaining affordable coverage, even though the law includes most of the private-based model they had sought for decades."
The Marketplaces are sites where consumers can compare private sector plans. Yes the benefits are govt mandated, the ten EHB... but they're very standard, inpatient hospital, lab, x-ray, Rx- most can agree with these "govt mandates".
Yes, there are glitches, yes this is massive. But if a consumer enrolls on Dec 14th, they'll have coverage effective January 1, 2014. Its not time to panic, its time to research possibilities and time for the feds to ensure things are fixed.
Here in Wisconsin, the Marketplace has been down more than up which seems on par with the other FFMs. IT systems like this that integrate information from SSA, the IRS, INS, and others is complex to say the least. Of course the feds did not expect to operate 34 of these, they more likely expected 10-15. And also many of these 34 Governors. most are Republican, are reluctant to help and have a Democratic President's signature legislation achieve an easy launch.
Then I saw an op-ed by U.S. Sen. Rockefeller for LifeHealth Pro at www.lifehealthpro.com/2013/10/02. He wrote that he believes the health law will work. Obviously he voted for it and wants it to succeed but he also said, "(Republicans) are fighting this tooth and nail to prevent families from obtaining affordable coverage, even though the law includes most of the private-based model they had sought for decades."
The Marketplaces are sites where consumers can compare private sector plans. Yes the benefits are govt mandated, the ten EHB... but they're very standard, inpatient hospital, lab, x-ray, Rx- most can agree with these "govt mandates".
Yes, there are glitches, yes this is massive. But if a consumer enrolls on Dec 14th, they'll have coverage effective January 1, 2014. Its not time to panic, its time to research possibilities and time for the feds to ensure things are fixed.
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