Website Glitches & Canceled Policies: Md. Health Exchange Under Scrutiny

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)—Maryland's top doc says he's not satisfied with the operation of the state's health exchange.

Political reporter Pat Warren reports state lawmakers are looking for answers.

The only peace of mind state lawmakers are getting from the launch of the health care website are pieces of the minds of Marylanders frustrated with the process.

Out of 400,000 visits to the website, only 60,000 have registered accounts and fewer than 2,300 enrolled in plans.

"And then some who attempted, gave up," said Sen. Delores Kelley, (D) Baltimore County.

State Health Secretary Joshua Sharfstein told the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday that the website is still experiencing problems.

"To be clear, it is not good enough. It needs to get a lot better," Sharfstein said.

Lots of problems.

"Not only is the website or the call center not working, but your office hasn't been responsive either," said one person.

Complaints include policies canceled.

"That's something my constituents have a hard time with because they like their current plans," said Sen. Allan Kittleman,  (R) Howard/Carroll.

Another complaint is job changes.

"Hours will be cut to under 30 hours so insurance will not be offered," Sen. Kathy Klausmeier, (D) Baltimore County.

Will enrollment even meet the mark?

"Sufficient numbers of young people to offset the cost of the older sicker people," Kelley said.

The answers are still out there.

"There still remains a lot of work that's going on around-the-clock to fix all sorts of things," Sharfstein said.

So almost two months after fumbling the rollout, the government still hasn't recovered the ball.

Other Local News: