Covered California: What you need to know
The rollout of the Affordable Care Act nationwide and here in California has been rough with glitches on the website from day one. Last week part of the Covered California website was shut down because some doctors were listed with incorrect information. Officials say that part has been corrected.
"We've got lots of problems, and you know what: We might have some more. But when they happen, I'll be here to answer the questions," said California Governor Jerry Brown.
Brown says California is doing better than some other states.
"Implementing this Affordable Care Act is a real challenge. You've got lots of people, lots of rules, lots of money that has to be spent, so we're moving slowly but cautiously. And so far we're on track," said Brown.
Nationwide, the president said Monday they are looking for the best and brightest to get their websites operating more efficiently. Health care centers in California are reporting mixed success using the Covered California portal.
"Government always takes a bit longer than say the private sector," said former U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.
Solis says it is still too early to criticize the program.
"I'm mostly worried that people aren't getting the right information," said Solis. "And I think that people can go on the Web, be able to make choices and decisions. And that's a very personal decision, so I could see people going on two or three times and then having to talk to their family or people that are concerned about what their health care will look like and what the costs are going to be."
The Covered California board is expected to discuss these issues and complaints when it meets Thursday in Sacramento.
