Heeeeeeere's Obamacare!

[a_unique_person]

Five hundred million dollars for a website that doesn't work.

Brilliant. Well done. Good one. Round of applause. I'm serious. I really think that was an all-round genius effort.

I don't get your point. They outsource the website to private enterprise. Private Enterprise comes up with something that isn't good enough.

 

[Virus]

I don't get your point. They outsource the website to private enterprise. Private Enterprise comes up with something that isn't good enough.

The problem is that it's a bigger fail than Solyndra.

 

[elbe]

The problem is that it's a bigger fail than Solyndra.

Yes. Private industries do suck.

 

[Virus]

Company behind failed website given 1.4 billion in contracts under Obama.

CGI Federal is a subsidiary of Montreal-based CGI Group. With offices in Fairfax, Va., the subsidiary has been a darling of the Obama administration, which since 2009 has bestowed it with $1.4 billion in federal contracts, according to USAspending.gov.

Maybe these guys are old "Choom Gang" buddies.

 

[elbe]

You know what? Virus has finally convinced me. All of our problems seem to be caused by terrible private companies and everything would be a lot better if the government just provided all products and services directly. I wouldn't have pegged Virus as a full on socialist, but sometimes a guy just makes a lot of sense.

 

[malicus]

You know what? Virus has finally convinced me. All of our problems seem to be caused by terrible private companies and everything would be a lot better if the government just provided all products and services directly. I wouldn't have pegged Virus as a full on socialist, but sometimes a guy just makes a lot of sense.

 

[MattusMaximus]

So here are some numbers about the total number of people signed up via the ACA so far...

Of the 476,000 applications that have been started, just over half have been from the 36 states where the federal government is taking the lead in running the markets. The rest of the applications have come from the 14 states running their own markets, along with Washington, D.C.

Nearly half a million already? Given the glitches in the federal site, that's better than I expected.

 

[ravdin]

Yes. Private industries do suck.

Rather, crony capitalism sucks. The website rollout was compared rather stupidly to Apple at one point. The big difference with Apple is that if they had an iPhone rollout that was this big of a catastrophe, then Apple would go under and we'd all buy our smartphones from someone else. That and no one is forced to buy Apple's products.

 

[thaiboxerken]

Rather, crony capitalism sucks. The website rollout was compared rather stupidly to Apple at one point. The big difference with Apple is that if they had an iPhone rollout that was this big of a catastrophe, then Apple would go under and we'd all buy our smartphones from someone else. That and no one is forced to buy Apple's products.

Apple did have horrible issues with the iphone. Yet they weren't hurt that much by it.

 

[Newtons Bit]

So here are some numbers about the total number of people signed up via the ACA so far...



Nearly half a million already? Given the glitches in the federal site, that's better than I expected.

Err, that's the number of people who started an application. The article you link says that the government is mum about number of people who have actually signed up.

 

[MattusMaximus]

Err, that's the number of people who started an application. The article you link says that the government is mum about number of people who have actually signed up.

Oops. Good catch.

 

[Unabogie]

Does anyone know the answer to this question? I can browse policies via Cover Oregon. In order to purchase one, do I need to enroll, or can I simply buy a policy? If I don't qualify for subsidies, do I need even fill in an application?

 

[Robrob]

Yup, that could be a big problem. Though it is one that could be addressed without too much trouble... simply push back the enrollment deadline. While this is not ideal, it's not like the sky is falling, either.

ETA: I also found this particular bit of the article interesting... it seems that you really do get what you pay for...

The "concern" about the government fining you for missing the application deadline because the government system wouldn't take your application - is ludicrous.

I'm no tech-head, but what I don't get is how some people (like Wildcat) are having a helluva time with the federal site, while other people (like me) are having basically zero problems. I just went to healthcare.gov a few minutes ago, logged in, and started shopping for insurance on the exchange with not a single glitch.

I don't get it

Yeah, funny how that worked out.

Five hundred million dollars for a website that doesn't work.

Brilliant. Well done. Good one. Round of applause. I'm serious. I really think that was an all-round genius effort.

Shockingly, it turns out you posted an internet myth.

 

[DGM]

I'm no tech-head, but what I don't get is how some people (like Wildcat) are having a helluva time with the federal site, while other people (like me) are having basically zero problems. I just went to healthcare.gov a few minutes ago, logged in, and started shopping for insurance on the exchange with not a single glitch.

I don't get it

Have you enrolled (purchased a policy) yet?

Like Newtons Bit, I can spend less for much less coverage. If I want what I have now, It cost more. "Reform" my ass.

 

[Unabogie]

Have you enrolled (purchased a policy) yet?

Like Newtons Bit, I can spend less for much less coverage. If I want what I have now, It cost more. "Reform" my ass.

Very strange, but I wonder if it's a regional thing? Basically, in places like California and Oregon, where our governors made an actual effort to set up a proper exchange, our rates are going down and things are working. I just received my application from a "navigator" on state's website, as unfortunately the online enrollment isn't up yet. But I can browse plans, and we've chosen a "gold" plan from MODA that will cost us a little less than what we have now, but it will be seriously awesome insurance. Maryland is boasting the cheapest "bronze" plan in the country, which will cost only $89 before subsidies. Which for poorer people will be basically free.

Would you care to share the details of your current plan and which state you live in? Also, are you getting these numbers from your insurer or from the exchange from your state?

 

[Newtons Bit]

Shockingly, it turns out you posted an internet myth.

No it's not. Your blog link is nothing but an argument to incredulity, not an actual refutation of the dollar amount (unless your point is that the dollar amount is closer to $500 million than $400 million which seems to be splitting hairs) The NYTimes pegs the total cost at more than $400 million, and cites the largest single contract for the Obamacare website at $94 million.

I understand the incredulity. It's hard to believe that this amount of money could be waste on something like this. Unfortunately, it's true.

 

[Newtons Bit]

Have you enrolled (purchased a policy) yet?

Like Newtons Bit, I can spend less for much less coverage. If I want what I have now, It cost more. "Reform" my ass.

Actually, I can't spend less for much less coverage. I am required by law to spend almost three times more for some coverage I don't need and less in areas I want.

 

[Unabogie]

No it's not. Your blog link is nothing but an argument to incredulity, not an actual refutation of the dollar amount (unless the $500 million claim to $400 million claim is your point) The NYTimes pegs the total cost at more than $400 million, and cites the largest single contract for the Obamacare website at $94 million.

I understand the incredulity. It's hard to believe that this amount of money could be waste on something like this. Unfortunately, it's true.

Call it an argument from incredulity, but I have trouble buying that the website component cost anywhere near that. There are, according to that article, 55 contractors involved in the project. Obviously that means there are lots more components to this that the front-end website that connects end users to the infrastructure behind it. So while the numbers may be accurate, they're wildly misleading since they don't relate to the creation of a website, but to a much broader and deeper task.

That said, it's hugely disappointing that they botched the website part, since that's the "public facing" piece that gets all the eyeballs, but if you expect the ACA to be around for years to come, as I do, then 4-6 weeks of website glitches at the start of a mainstay of public policy will be completely forgotten.

It's a shame the GOP shut down the government, since they gave away three weeks of grandstanding for nothing. Total "own goal".

 

[DGM]

Actually, I can't spend less for much less coverage. I am required by law to spend almost three times more for some coverage I don't need and less in areas I want.

In MA we've had mandatory insurance requirements for a few years. I doubt Obamacare is going to effect us much because of this. I have found a plan or two that is cheaper but does not compare to what I have now. I pay for my own and I don't qualify for any subsidies. For me, If I change I pay alot more (same coverage), if I stay the rate only goes up about 15%. Anyway I look at it, i pay more.

I'd be interested to see other peoples experiences in Massachusetts.

ETA: Since "Romneycare" kicked in, the percentage of people that are uninsured is down but costs have continued to rise. My copay for a ER visit was $20, now it's $100 (fortunately I don't go there). Welcome to reform USA.

 

[thaiboxerken]

The "concern" about the government fining you for missing the application deadline because the government system wouldn't take your application - is ludicrous.


Yeah, funny how that worked out.


Shockingly, it turns out you posted an internet myth.

The site doesn't work for conservatives.