At a Miami Health Center, Told to Come Back Another Day

[WestVirginiaRebel]

NY Times:

MIAMI — The glitches in the new electronic health care sign-up system began almost immediately at the Jessie Trice Community Health Center, in one of this city’s poorest neighborhoods, and they never let up.

 

With a potential applicant by her side, Linda J. Lott, a certified application counselor, stood at her computer terminal and typed the word “Florida” into the insurance exchange network Web site.

 

“The system is down at the moment,” it read.

 

She smiled at Wesley Trumpler, 47, and explained, “We’ve had some slow times getting on, and we’re unable to get started.” An 800 number popped up. “People call this number, but they have had the same problem,” she added.

 

With that, she walked Mr. Trumpler over to a nearby chair, gave him a brief overview of the program — “This is Obamacare, right?” he asked — and asked if he wanted to come back.

 

Then she gave Mr. Trumpler, who is unemployed and is recovering from a gunshot wound, an appointment to come back next week to try again. He was thankful, not a trace of frustration on his face. He had heard about Obamacare, but, until he walked into the clinic for a medical appointment, he did not realize he could sign up for it beginning Tuesday.

 

“I need insurance,” he said, “but it’s too expensive.”

 

All day, trained application counselors typed in “Florida,” or got as far as entering some applicants’ personal information, before the system crashed. Sometimes the crash came when it was time to answer a security question. Other times applicants put in their security question answers but could go no further.

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There are glitches in the system, and it's called Obamacare...