Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Obamacare reveals its new website

Nick Damarodis
Editor-in-Chief

Millions of Americans have tried to go on to the Obamacare website to see what type of insurance they can receive, but are not able to due to website glitches. It is an ongoing problem, with congressional committees now looking into the situation.
 Many had tried to go onto the site the day that it opened up, but the servers were not able to keep up with demand and several states had issues opening up their websites. It was a problem that many people were not expecting with the newly created website, which was designed to allow people to sign up for the health insurance exchanges and see what types of plans were being offered.
 Congressional leaders, in particular those who have been against Obamacare, have been describing the problem as just one of the many that will be coming along in the next few years with the rules of the law. Certain parts of the original law, such as the small business mandate, have been delayed,  and more changes to the law are expected.
 Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) was one of several members to question the Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, during a recent committee meeting on Capitol Hill. After Sebelius publicly apologized for the website problems, Blackburn attacked the law as a whole, saying that not everyone needs the same type of health insurance. She pointed out that some people want “Ferrari” health care plans while others may just want a “Ford” plan. “You’re taking away their choice,” Blackburn said to Sebelius referring to the American people and the issues they are facing under the law.
 Few people have currently signed up for the program, with an astonishingly low number of six sign ups on the first day, even though millions have gone on the website. The President continues to defend the website and program as a whole, though, and believes that there is a bright future for the health care plan, which has the goal to provide every American with health insurance.
 With large amounts of money spent, and many people losing their current health care plans because of the new regulations being implemented by Obamacare, the law is negatively viewed by Americans. According to the Real Clear Politics average of polls on the health care law, 51 percent disapprove of the law while 42 percent approve. It will take time to see if the law will gain more popularity as more of the laws are put into place.