GAO Report: Obamacare ‘Behind Schedule’

New GAO Report Shows That ‘Nobody Really Knows’ What Will Happen When Obamacare Launches

‘Government Officials Have Missed Several Deadlines’

“Government officials have missed several deadlines in setting up new health-insurance exchanges for small businesses and consumers—a key part of the federal health overhaul—and there is a risk they won't be ready to open on time in October, Congress's watchdog arm said.” (“Health-Insurance Exchanges Are Falling Behind Schedule,” The Wall Street Journal, 6/19/13)

GAO: For CMS “many activities necessary to establish [federally facilitated exchanges] by October 1, 2013… remain to be completed and some were behind schedule.” (GAO Report, Pg. 2, 6/13)

• “…much remains to be accomplished within a relatively short amount of time.” Ibid
• “…the many activities yet to be performed-some close to the start of enrollment-suggest a potential for challenges going forward.” Ibid

“The computerized clearinghouse for the entire system — a federal ‘data hub’ designed to deliver real-time eligibility rulings — has only undergone initial testing.” (“Gov't Report: Smooth Launch Unsure For Health Law,” AP, 6/19/13)

• “…CMS is developing a data hub that will provide electronic, near real-time access to federal data… several critical tasks… remain to be completed.” (GAO Report, Pg. 2, 6/13)
• “…system to submit applications for [qualified health plans] certification… several key tasks… remain to be completed.” Ibid

‘What will happen when they flip the switch nobody really knows’ “‘Much progress has been made in establishing the regulatory framework and guidance required for this undertaking, and (the administration) is currently taking steps to implement key activities of the (exchanges),’ the report said. ‘Nevertheless, much remains to be accomplished within a relatively short period of time.’ Translation: most of the specs have been written, but the all wiring hasn't been laid, and what will happen when they flip the switch nobody really knows. And remember, Oct. 1 is less than four months away.” (“Gov't Report: Smooth Launch Unsure For Health Law,” AP, 6/19/13)

Exchanges ‘will be full of issues, bugs and technological challenges’ “‘Something will be up and running on Oct. 1,’ when open enrollment starts, said Dan Schuyler, a director at the consulting firm Leavitt Partners and a former director of technology for Utah's health-insurance exchange. ‘It will be full of issues, bugs and technological challenges,’ he added.” (“Planners Expect Glitches In Health-Exchange Sites,” The Wall Street Journal, 6/7/13)

• ‘There will no doubt be consumer horror stories’ “It will be a tough task implementing the online health insurance marketplaces that are required of each state under the federal health care overhaul, and there will no doubt be consumer horror stories about trying to navigate them, insurance company executives warned Tuesday.” (“Insurance Leaders Detail Uncertainty Of Overhaul,” AP, 6/18/13)
• ‘Expect Glitches… Expect some problems’

“Teams of technology experts are racing to finish building government websites that will allow people to shop and sign up for health insurance this October. People involved in the effort say to expect some problems.” (“Planners Expect Glitches In Health-Exchange Sites,” The Wall Street Journal, 6/7/13)

‘Confusion, skepticism and anxiety’ “But POLITICO interviews with front-line organizers in the state-based groups that are bearing the responsibility of enrolling millions of people who have never paid for health care in their lives revealed optimism tempered with a fair dose of confusion, skepticism and anxiety…” (“Launching The Obamacare Campaign,” Politico, 6/18/13)

‘A Huge Train Wreck Coming’

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “The Affordable Care Act, Obamacare… there'll still be, you know, glitches and bumps. And there will be stories that can be written that says, ‘Oh, look, this thing's, you know, not working…’” (President Obama, Press Briefing, 4/30/13)

SEN. MAX BAUCUS (D-MT): “I just tell you, I just see a huge train wreck coming down.” (Finance Committee, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 4/17/13)

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