As the federal government consumes humble pie over failures in the health insurance exchanges, some states that have set up their own exchanges are also struggling. Oregon has yet to enroll one single person, and it's been reduced to pawing through paper applications to figure out eligibility.
Again I point out that the lowest bidder is not necessarily the best deal. Especially when you want to use what you buy.
The Oregon healthcare exchange website, CoverOregon.org, was “built and tested for use with Internet Explorer,” and may “not work properly” if used on other browsers, according to the site.
Now to an extent using IE would make sense. The public libraries here use this platform. I know because I've wished I had brought a book as I stare at the blank screen waiting for it to load and wondering if my precious hour a day will be enough time to complete the task I'm trying to attempt. So having the ACA Oregon site synchronize with the library access is a good thing. What isn't a good thing is having Oregonians needing health care having to wade through paperwork when the site is non operational.
Granted at least the sickest amongst us did at least have a chance, in the literal sense, of getting on Medicaid in this state before ACA. But it was literally a lottery. Having everyone able to access care no matter their income will help communities not have to deal with the sick and uninsured.
I do wonder about the acquisition process now that this is a continuing issue preventing people from using the site as it was intended. Who made these decisions? How can a state with so many technical industries manage to FUBAR a website so badly it takes weeks before it works?
Fortunately this is Oregon, I'm sure we will think of something.