As I documented over three weeks, it is not currently possible to sign up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act using the New York State healthcare marketplace. I've been told to check back in mid-December, but I'll try working the phones again later this week (they didn't answer last week). It's shameful to waste the American people's time like this. They had 2-1/2 years to prepare. WTF?
At least I get some cartoons and columns out of the experience. That'll be an indirect subsidy for the expense if and when I ever get coverage through ACA. But what about everyone else?
According to CNBC on day four: "As few as 1 in 100 applications on the federal exchange contains enough information to enroll the applicant in a plan, several insurance industry sources told CNBC on Friday." One assumes it will get better, but still. As of late last week, many people were still unable to see if their doctor or hospital was included in a given plan.
99% fail rate. Heckuva job, Barry!
Here's my cartoon for today, depicting what happens to the approximately 3800 Americans who die each month due to lack of health insurance.
P.S. One thing I will never understand is why Democrats make excuses for this disaster. Denying people's problems and real-world experiences is a surefire way to lose elections. The smartest thing the president could do when he addresses the nation would be to humbly apologize (something he has never done), explain in detail how it's going to be fixed, and push back deadlines to account for the fact that, three weeks into Obamacare, it's basically impossible to sign up.
It's not enough to say hey, we're working on it.