A week after the health exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act launched, no one from Wisconsin's largest city has been able to sign up for private insurance coverage because of computer glitches.
Milwaukee officials, however, are not discouraged.
The high numbers of people nationwide trying to sign up for health coverage – along with software problems – are contributing to glitches affecting states like Wisconsin. In the Milwaukee, Health Commissioner Bevan Baker is hopeful those unable to sign up initially will try again. He compares it to consumer's repeated attempts to get the latest cell phone model.
“They want the product, they come back for it,” he says. “This is a product that people want. Yes, it may take some time. But you have 175 days to go to apply for coverage.”
Baker says health reform is a big initiative because it focuses more on preventive care and seeks to provide medical coverage for many who have never had it.
“We in the public health community, we in the health care delivery community – this is our Super Bowl, and we plan to win,” says Baker. “I think the Affordable Care Act has given us all the tools we need to win.”
Baker says the federal government shutdown is having a negative impact on the exchanges. He says some nonessential workers are furloughed who could be helping overcome computer glitches.
