Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Some State Marketplaces Face Bumps, Problems
The Oregonian: Cover Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Prepares To Lay Off 61 People
The Cover Oregon health insurance exchange intends to lay off 61 people starting in March, cutting its workforce in half. A political embarrassment since failing to deliver a working enrollment-and-subsidy website last year, the exchange is expected to be dissolved as a stand-alone legal entity by the Legislature in the next few months, its remaining functions transferred to a state agency. (Budnick, 1/12)
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune: MNsure Website Flaw Keeps 7,500 People From Enrolling
A problem with the MNsure system has prevented about 7,500 people from enrolling in public health insurance programs, state officials said Monday, as they described what appears to be the largest technology glitch of the current open enrollment period. (Snowbeck, 1/12)
The Denver Post: Colorado Health Exchange Approves $322,000 To Fix Enrollment Problems
The Connect for Health Colorado board of directors agreed to spend an additional $322,000 through the end of February to try to sign up applicants stalled in the state health insurance exchange's online enrollment system. Interim chief executive Gary Drews said the emergency expenditure was needed to resolve about 1,900 outstanding reports of problems — down from as many as 4,800. (Draper, 1/12)
Health News Colorado: Board Approves ‘Band-Aid Fix’ For IT System As Health Guides Plead For Help
Cancer patients desperately in need of critical care are among those unable to get health insurance because Colorado’s sign-up system is failing to work properly, health coverage guides told state officials on Monday. (Kerwin McCrimmon, 1/12)
Heartland Health Monitor: Company Chosen To Replace First Obamacare Navigator On Missouri Side Of State Line Faces Criticism
A Maryland company that has reaped millions of dollars in federal health-reform grants for work around the country is drawing fire for its performance in the Kansas City area. Critics say that Advanced Patient Advocacy, a privately held company, has been slow off the mark in its role as a “navigator” organization, charged with helping consumers find coverage through the health insurance marketplace established by the Affordable Care Act. (Sherry, 1/12)
