Monday, January 20, 2014

At least it wasn't a 1-900 number

One would think that rather than disdain, Democratic politicians would express thanks, to the 36 states that declined to set up Obamacare exchanges. Covered Oregon has spent $199 million on a website that has yet to enroll a single person. Maryland has spent only $170 million while enrolling less than 23,000. It hopes to enroll 150,000 by March 31. As of late the exchange, which had been touted as an early success story, has been under performing to say the least.
At first, Beth Perry of Baltimore was delighted to hear Lunz's voice.
Perry, 59, started shopping for insurance Dec. 16 and still hasn't signed up. She said she had spent hours calling and getting busy signals or being placed on hold with the state's call center, which has been overwhelmed and has twice beefed up staff to handle the volume of insurance shoppers in need of help.
Perry joked that she thought she heard angels singing when Lunz picked up the phone on the first ring, only to realize that she heard "pottery supply" instead.
Perry said she has logged on more than 20 times but gets stymied when she reaches the page where she is supposed to pick a service provider. Most times she is directed to call the state's call center. This week, she got a new error message and instructions to call "State Advantage" for help. When she called, Lunz picked up.
The trouble is Sue Lunz works for Seattle Pottery Supply Co. of Seattle, Washington.
A state spokeswoman said officials would look into fixing the problem as soon as possible — and consider whether to reimburse Lunz for the long-distance calls from Maryland.
As soon as possible? That's the ethic that made this country great? I think I would get that 1-800 number changed before Lunz loses patience and forwards the calls to Steny Hoyer's office.

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